ACB Arrests Village Revenue Officer for Bribery in Andhra Pradesh Land Case
In a significant crackdown on corruption, officials from the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) in Visakhapatnam have apprehended Potula Sankara Rao, a village revenue officer (VRO), for allegedly demanding and accepting a bribe of Rs 1.5 lakh. The incident occurred in Anakapalle district, where Rao was accused of soliciting the illegal payment in exchange for processing an official favor related to a land mutation application.
Background of the Land Dispute
The case revolves around a victim who purchased 2.54 acres of agricultural land in P Bheemavaram revenue village back in 2022. After successfully registering the property in his name and obtaining the necessary 1-B Adangal document, an error emerged during a resurvey conducted by the previous government. Inadvertently, the vendor's name was recorded in the revenue records instead of the purchaser's name, leading to complications in the official documentation.
To rectify this mistake, the victim submitted an application for mutation in the revenue records on December 15, 2025, through the Mee-Seva portal. This application aimed to replace the vendor's name with his own and secure pattadar passbooks along with the land parcel map (LPM) number, which are essential for establishing clear ownership and legal rights over the property.
Demand for Bribe and ACB Intervention
Upon approaching Potula Sankara Rao, the VRO responsible for processing such applications, the victim faced immediate rejection. Instead of facilitating the legitimate request, Rao allegedly demanded a bribe as a condition for providing the official favor. This demand placed the victim under significant distress, as he was subjected to harassment and unfair practices while trying to resolve a straightforward administrative issue.
Unable to tolerate the corruption, the victim took decisive action by reaching out to the ACB officials approximately one week ago. After conducting a thorough verification of the facts and gathering evidence, the ACB team orchestrated a strategic trap. During the operation, Sankara Rao was caught red-handed while accepting the bribe from the victim, leading to his immediate arrest and highlighting the bureau's commitment to combating graft in public services.
Implications and Broader Context
This arrest underscores ongoing challenges in land administration and revenue systems in Andhra Pradesh, where such corrupt practices can delay or deny citizens their rightful claims. The ACB's proactive measures serve as a deterrent, emphasizing that no public official is above the law. Authorities continue to investigate the case to ensure accountability and prevent similar incidents in the future, reinforcing the importance of transparency and integrity in governance.
