ACB Sting Operation Nabs Kadapa Police Officials in Bribery Case
Sleuths from the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) in Kadapa executed a successful sting operation on Monday, leading to the dramatic arrest of two police officers. The sub-inspector (SI) and circle inspector (CI) were apprehended red-handed while accepting a bribe of Rs 1.5 lakh from a complainant.
Details of the Arrested Officials
The arrested personnel have been identified as Dasari Anil Kumar, serving as the SI at Simhadripuram police station, and Nallapalli Venkata Ramana, the CI of Pulivendula Rural Circle in Kadapa district. Their capture marks a significant blow to corruption within the police force in the region.
Complainant's Allegations and Bribe Demand
According to the complainant, Gurram Brahmaiah, who operates Sri Venkata Balaji Auto Consultancy in Anantapur, the situation began when a motorcycle he had purchased and subsequently sold was linked to criminal activities. The bike was sold to Dileep Prasad, a resident of Bihar and an accused in five chain-snatching cases, where the vehicle was allegedly used.
The SI and CI reportedly exploited this connection to demand a bribe of Rs 7 lakh from Brahmaiah, threatening to implicate him in the chain-snatching cases if he did not comply. After negotiations, the amount was reduced to Rs 3.5 lakh, with an initial demand of Rs 2 lakh. Shockingly, the SI had already collected Rs 50,000 from the complainant prior to the sting operation.
ACB's Swift Action and Legal Proceedings
On Monday, ACB officials laid a trap and caught SI Dasari Anil Kumar in the act of accepting the remaining Rs 1.5 lakh. Following the arrest, a formal case was registered under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption (As Amended in 2018) Act, 1988, and Section 3(5) of BNS, 2023, at the Kadapa ACB police station. The accused were promptly produced before the ACB court in Kurnool for legal proceedings.
Ongoing Investigations and Searches
In the aftermath of the arrests, the ACB has intensified its efforts by conducting comprehensive search operations. These searches are being carried out at:
- The residential premises of the arrested accused
- Their respective offices
- The Simhadripuram police station
These operations aim to uncover further evidence and ensure a thorough investigation into the corruption allegations. The ACB's proactive measures highlight a commitment to rooting out malpractice and upholding integrity within law enforcement agencies in Andhra Pradesh.
