ACB Traps Bhadrachalam Forest Officials in Rs 3.5 Lakh Bribery Case Over Road Construction
The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) on Thursday apprehended two high-ranking forest officials for allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs 3.5 lakh in Kothagudem district. The incident has sent shockwaves through the department as senior officers were caught red-handed during a planned trap.
ACB Probe Into Bhadrachalam Forest Officials Bribery Case
According to the latest update, the ACB team led by DSP Y. Ramesh conducted a raid at the Bhadrachalam forest office. The operation targeted Forest Divisional Officer (FDO) Sujatha and Cherla In-charge Deputy Range Officer (DRO) Krishnaiah following a formal complaint.
The case registered by the agency highlights a demand for illegal gratification to overlook the felling of trees during a road construction project. Sources indicate that the officials had initially demanded a total sum of Rs 10 lakh from the complainant.
Incident Details and Police Investigation
The roots of the Bhadrachalam forest officials bribery case lie in a road work project near the Pusuguppa area of Cherla mandal. During the construction process, several trees were reportedly damaged or cut down without prior clearance.
To avoid legal proceedings and the registration of a formal case against the contractor, FDO Sujatha allegedly pressured the concerned parties for money. The DRO, Krishnaiah, reportedly acted as an intermediary in the negotiations.
Official Statement on Arrest and Action Taken
An official statement from the ACB confirmed that the FDO and DRO were caught while accepting the first installment of Rs 3.5 lakh at the Bhadrachalam office. The marked currency notes were recovered from the scene, and chemical tests performed on the officials yielded positive results.
The ACB DSP Y. Ramesh stated that the investigation is ongoing and further searches may be conducted at the residential properties of the accused. Both officials have been taken into custody and will be produced before the Special Court for ACB cases.
Pattern of Corruption in District Forest Department
This arrest marks a recurring trend of graft within the regional forest administration. Local observers noted that a district officer of the Forest Development Corporation was previously caught in a similar Rs 3.5 lakh bribery scandal in Kothagudem.
The repeated involvement of senior staff in the Bhadrachalam forest officials bribery case has raised serious questions about internal oversight. Following the latest arrests, the state government is expected to review the conduct of divisional-level officers in the Kothagudem-Bhadrachalam belt.