ACB traps leave Telangana's 'people-friendly' police red-faced

By Newsmeter Network  Published on  11 Jan 2020 4:59 PM GMT
ACB traps leave Telanganas people-friendly police red-faced

Hyderabad: The arrest of five cops, including two inspector-level officers, over bribery in a span of one week has left the Telangana police embarrassed. This also brings to fore how corruption is well-entrenched in the department. At the same time, the arrests may affect the morale of the 'people-friendly' force, said sources.

The incidents were reported from Rajanna Sircilla district, which is represented by MAUD KT Rama Rao, and Jubilee Hills in Hyderabad.

On January 3, the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) caught the writer of Gambhiraopet police station in Rajanna Siricilla accepting a bribe of Rs 10,000 from a tractor owner. The vehicle had been seized by Lingamurthy, the circle inspector of Yellareddypet, and handed over to the sub-inspector of Gambhiraopet, Anil Kumar, for registration of a case and further action.

Following repeated pleas by the tractor owner, the cops demanded to be paid Rs 20,000. As per the instructions of Lingamurthy, Anil Kumar directed his writer to collect money. But the tractor owner, who was reluctant to bribe the police, approached the ACB, which led to the arrest of three policemen. This is the first time since the formation of Telangana, an inspector-rank officer was caught for demanding bribe and directing his conduits to collect the money on his behalf.

Immediately came the Jubilee Hills incident where the inspector demanded Rs 1 lakh as bribe from an accused in a case. The person fixed the inspector and a sub-inspector through an ACB trap. The arrests prompted Hyderabad police commissioner Anjani Kumar to suspend both the tainted cops at once. To control the further damage, Kumar said such black sheep bringing bad name to the force need to be exposed. “Public is requested to inform corrupt practices with the police organisation at 9490616555. The name of the complainants and their identity will be kept confidential,” he said on Friday.

In August 2018, then traffic inspector in Adilabad, Dasari Bhoomaiah, was caught with Rs 10 lakh unaccounted cash while he was travelling to Hyderabad in his car. He was intercepted on the ORR and arrested. As Bhoomaiah had spoken against irregularities within the department, this trap was seen as an attempt to gag him. He later walked out on bail and retired last year.

Next Story