A junior engineer with Telangana's state power distribution utility has been arrested after he was caught accepting a bribe of ₹25,000 from a complainant who had damaged an electricity pole in a road accident, according to the Telangana Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB).

The accused, identified as B. Ramakrishna Reddy, served as Additional Assistant Engineer (Operations) with the Telangana State Southern Power Distribution Company Limited (TGSPDCL) at the Industrial Development Area in Bollaram, Sangareddy district. ACB officials said he was trapped near his office on June 18 at around 1:25 pm while demanding and receiving the bribe.

The case traces back to June 12, when the complainant's car collided with an electricity pole, causing damage to it. Officials said Reddy offered to ensure no departmental action was taken against the complainant over the damaged pole, provided he was paid ₹25,000 in exchange for that assurance.

Acting on the tip, ACB officials laid a trap and caught Reddy in the act of accepting the cash. The full bribe amount was recovered from his possession at the scene, the bureau confirmed.

In its statement, the ACB said the officer failed to discharge his public duties with the honesty and integrity expected of a government employee, choosing instead to exploit his position for illegal personal gain. Following the arrest, he was produced before the Honourable II Additional Special Judge for SPE and ACB Cases in Hyderabad. Investigation into the matter is currently underway.

As is standard practice in such cases, the ACB has withheld the identity of the complainant, citing safety considerations and the need to protect those who come forward to report corruption.

Why the case matters

Cases involving low-level officials seeking bribes from ordinary citizens for routine administrative relief remain a persistent concern in Telangana's public services sector. Power utility staff, in particular, interact directly with the public over billing disputes, infrastructure damage, and connection issues, creating frequent opportunities for such demands. The ACB has continued to act on direct tips and lay traps in real time, a method that has resulted in numerous similar arrests across state departments in recent months.

Public awareness campaigns by the bureau have increasingly urged citizens not to entertain such demands and instead report them immediately, reinforcing the message that paying a bribe, even to avoid penalties or expedite paperwork, only sustains the larger problem.

How citizens can report bribery demands

The Telangana Anti-Corruption Bureau has reiterated its appeal to the public to report any government official who demands a bribe. Citizens can call the toll-free number 1064 to register a complaint and have appropriate legal action initiated.

The bureau can also be reached through multiple channels, including WhatsApp at 9440446106, its Facebook page "Telangana ACB," and its X (formerly Twitter) handle @TelanganaACB. To make reporting easier, the ACB has placed QR codes at government offices and other prominent public locations across the state, allowing people to lodge complaints directly from their phones.

The identity and personal details of any complainant or victim who comes forward are kept strictly confidential, the bureau said, in an effort to encourage more citizens to report corruption without fear of retaliation.

The press note was issued by the Public Relations Officer of the Anti-Corruption Bureau, Telangana, Hyderabad, dated June 18, 2026.