Irrigation AEE Caught Accepting Rs 2 Lakh Bribe in Ashwaraopeta

Irrigation AEE Arrested by ACB While Allegedly Accepting Rs 2 Lakh Bribe

An Assistant Executive Engineer (AEE) of the Irrigation Department was caught by officials of the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) while allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs 2 lakh from a farmer in Ashwaraopeta. The operation was carried out following a complaint from the farmer, who informed the ACB that the official had demanded money to permit the transportation of soil from a local irrigation tank to agricultural land.

According to ACB Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Y. Ramesh, the incident took place on Monday at the Irrigation Department office in Ashwaraopeta.

The case stems from a request made by a farmer seeking permission to transport soil from the Donthikunta tank to his farmland. The farmer approached Irrigation Department AEE L. Srinivasa Rao for the required approval.

During the process, the official allegedly demanded Rs 4 lakh to facilitate the permission. After the farmer reportedly expressed his inability to pay such a large amount, the demand was reduced to Rs 2 lakh, which both parties allegedly agreed upon.

Unwilling to pay the bribe, the farmer approached the Anti-Corruption Bureau and lodged a complaint detailing the alleged demand. Based on the complaint, ACB officials planned a trap operation to verify the allegation.

As part of the operation, the complainant visited the Irrigation Department office in Ashwaraopeta and handed over Rs 2 lakh in cash to the AEE as instructed by investigators. ACB officials, who had been monitoring the exchange, immediately intervened and caught the official while allegedly accepting the money.

The accused, identified as L. Srinivasa Rao, was taken into custody following the trap. DSP Y. Ramesh said the official would be produced before the court in connection with the case.

Speaking to reporters after the operation, the DSP urged members of the public to report any instances in which government officials demand bribes for carrying out official duties. He said the identities of complainants who approach the ACB with such information would be kept confidential.

The Anti-Corruption Bureau regularly conducts trap operations based on complaints from citizens to investigate allegations of bribery involving public servants. Officials encourage people to report corruption-related complaints so that appropriate legal action can be initiated in accordance with the law.