Hyderabad: SHO Bhadrachalam PS Barapati Ramesh among 3 held for `accepting ₹20,000 bribe'

Hyderabad: Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has arrested a Circle Inspector (CI), his gunman, and a private individual for allegedly demanding and accepting a bribe to release a seized tipper lorry in Bhadrachalam.

The accused have been identified as Barapati Ramesh, CI and Station House Officer (SHO) of Bhadrachalam Town Police Station; Chele Rama Rao, a civil constable and gunman attached to the CI; and Dara Karthik, a private individual from Sarapaka.

According to ACB DSP Y. Ramesh, the incident occurred on March 19 when police intercepted a tipper lorry transporting gravel near the Godavari Bridge in Bhadrachalam.

The vehicle was taken to Bhadrachalam Town Police Station without any formal case or legal procedure. At the station, CI Barapati Ramesh, through his gunman Rama Rao, allegedly demanded a bribe of ₹30,000 for the lorry's release.

After negotiations, the amount was reduced to ₹20,000, which the complainant paid via PhonePe to Dara Karthik, who acted at the gunman's direction. The lorry was released following the payment.

The victim later approached the ACB, which launched an investigation. During interrogation, Rama Rao admitted to demanding the bribe on the CI's instructions. Key evidence included a recorded video of the digital transaction. The ACB detained Karthik in Sarapaka before arresting Rama Rao and CI Barapati Ramesh at Bhadrachalam Police Station.

The accused have been charged under the Prevention of Corruption Act for misusing official position, demanding bribes, and criminal misconduct. They will be produced before the ACB Court in Warangal for further legal proceedings. ACB officials emphasized their commitment to cracking down on corruption in the police department