The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) in Vijayawada has intensified its crackdown on graft, registering a total of 115 cases in the year 2025. ACB Director General Atul Singh revealed the annual performance data, showcasing a significant push against corrupt practices across various government departments in Andhra Pradesh.
Breakdown of Cases and Conviction Success
Presenting the report at the ACB headquarters on Friday, DG Atul Singh detailed the nature of the cases. Out of the 115 cases, the majority were 69 trap cases where officials were caught red-handed. Furthermore, the bureau registered 8 disproportionate assets cases and 7 criminal misconduct cases. To bolster its proactive measures, the ACB also initiated 19 regular enquiries and conducted 12 surprise checks in different departments throughout the year.
A key highlight of the year was the improvement in legal outcomes. The bureau achieved a conviction rate of 46% in 2025, a notable jump from 32% in the previous year. This was based on 36 case trials completed in ACB special courts, with convictions secured in 12 of them. "We aim to take the conviction rate above 70% by fast-tracking the case trials," stated Singh, outlining an ambitious target for the coming years.
Notable Convictions and Department-Wise Focus
The courts handed down strict punishments in several high-profile cases. In Anantapur, R Subbaiah, an assistant registrar, was sentenced to 7 years of rigorous imprisonment and a fine of Rs 2 lakh. Similarly, in Kurnool, Boya Peddiah, a Sub-Inspector, received a 7-year RI term with a Rs 2 lakh fine. D Meenakshee Madhav, a principal, was awarded 3 years of RI and a fine of Rs 1.10 lakh.
Analyzing the trap cases, the land revenue department was under maximum scrutiny, accounting for 19 trap cases. The MAUD department followed with 5 cases, while the home and finance departments saw 4 cases each. A major trap involved Sabbavarapu Srinivasa Rao, an engineer-in-chief with the tribal welfare department, who was caught accepting a bribe of Rs 25 lakh. In another significant case, Adabala Narayana Swamy, a senior assistant, was booked for taking a bribe of Rs 5 lakh.
Future Roadmap: Technology and Transparency
Looking ahead to 2026, DG Atul Singh announced a robust action plan focused on technology and protecting whistleblowers. The ACB will prioritize the effective handling of PIDPI (Public Interest Disclosure and Protection of Informers) complaints to ensure confidentiality and encourage reporting.
In a significant technological leap, the bureau plans to design an exclusive AI tool to identify Benami assets owned by corrupt individuals. "We will use technology and AI tools to identify areas and points of corruption and ensure speedy trials," Singh affirmed. To promote transparency, the ACB is uploading all registered FIRs to its official website, allowing public access to case information.
The bureau's strategy for the new year underscores a continued, tech-augmented assault on corruption, aiming for higher conviction rates and greater public trust in Andhra Pradesh's governance.
