AP Deputy CM called ACB sleuths robbers

Amaravati: In a cinematic turn of events, Visakhapatnam Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) officials landed themselves in trouble after trying to book an honest sub-registrar. The Deputy Chief Minister and Minister for Revenue Pilli Subhash Chandra Bose has taken the issue seriously and suspended Visakhapatnam Stamps and Registrations DIG Ravindranath on Wednesday. The issue had become sensational when Deputy CM termed some of the ACB officials as “robbers”, after going through the entire case.

The conspiracy unfolded when the ACB raided the Sub-Registrar Office at Madhurawada in Visakhapatnam on October 9. At that time, sub-registrar Tarakesh was going home after taking permission from higher officials. However, ACB officials did not let Tarakesh go out.

They searched the office and could not find any unofficial amount or suspicious activity. However, to trouble the sub-registrar, ACB Circle Inspector Gafoor went out, brought Rs 61,500, and tried to book a case against Tarakesh. The story took another turn when the witnesses brought by ACB officials were reluctant to provide a false statement. Later, Ravindranath transferred Tarakesh to Tekkali in Srikakulam District.

Tarakesh approached the Deputy CM with evidence and explained to him how he had become a scapegoat to a conspiracy plotted by some of the officers of his department and ACB officials. The sub-registrar submitted CCTV footage in which ACB CI Gafoor was bringing money from outside the office. Chandra Bose was enraged and suspended DIG Ravindranath.

The furious Minister wrote a letter to ACB Chief about the matter. Chandra Bose requested the suspension of the DSP, CI, and constables involved in the case.

YSRC government had transferred senior sub-registrars to nonfocal points and junior officers to the focal points, to curb corruption, when it took up mass transfers in June. Chandra Bose felt that the corrupt seniors of the Stamps and Registration department, who wanted to malign the image of the juniors, plotted the conspiracy.