Vijayawada: ACB catches Tribal Dept Chief Engineer Srinivas red-handed accepting Rs 25L bribe, held

Vijayawada: Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) arrested Sabbavarapu Srinivas, Engineer-in-Chief (EIC) of the Tribal Welfare Department, after he was caught red-handed accepting a bribe of Rs 25 lakh from a contractor for clearing deviation contract bills.

Srinivas, who already has two corruption cases pending against him, allegedly demanded a total of Rs 5 crore to process pending payments related to tribal welfare works across multiple districts.

Contractor traps officer with ACB’s help

According to ACB officials, the complainant, Chekuri Krishnamraju, Managing Partner of Sri Satya Sai Constructions based in Visakhapatnam, had undertaken several government projects under the Tribal Welfare Department in districts such as Alluri Sitaramaraju, Parvathipuram, Manyam, and Srikakulam.

A substantial payment was pending for deviation works. When Krishnamraju approached the department for clearance, Srinivas reportedly demanded Rs 5 crore in bribes, later settling for an initial payment of Rs 25 lakh. Unwilling to pay, the contractor approached the ACB office in Vijayawada and lodged a complaint.

Caught in the Act

Following the complaint, the ACB laid a trap and apprehended Srinivas at his office while he was accepting the Rs 25 lakh bribe. A case has been registered, and further investigation is underway.

History of Corruption Allegations

This is not the first time Srinivas has come under the scanner. ACB officials revealed that he had earlier served as an Assistant Executive Engineer (AEE) in Visakhapatnam, where a corruption case was booked against him in 2001. Departmental proceedings in that case are still ongoing.

While serving as an Executive Engineer (EE) in Seethampeta, Srikakulam district, he allegedly sought bribes through a junior assistant to clear pending contractor bills. Investigations have also unearthed assets disproportionate to his known sources of income.

To be produced in Court

Srinivas is expected to be produced before the ACB Court in Vijayawada on Friday. Officials said multiple complaints have been received in recent years against him, and further inquiries are being pursued.