ACB Arrests Jannaram Panchayat Secretary Over Rs 13,000 Bribe in Mancherial

The Telangana Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) on Friday arrested J. Varalaxmi, the Panchayat Secretary of Lingayipalli village in Jannaram mandal of Mancherial district, for demanding and accepting a bribe of Rs. 13,000 from a complainant in exchange for an official favour.

According to ACB officials, Varalaxmi demanded the bribe to grant permission for the construction of a house and to allot a house number to the newly constructed property in Lingayipalli village. She had initially demanded Rs. 20,000 from the complainant. Following negotiations, she agreed to reduce the amount and accept Rs. 13,000 as illegal gratification.

During the trap operation, the accused official refused to accept the bribe money in cash. Instead, she instructed the complainant to transfer the agreed sum of Rs. 13,000 electronically using the PhonePe digital payments application.

To facilitate the transaction, Varalaxmi provided the PhonePe contact number of another Panchayat Secretary, identified as Lavanya. The complainant then transferred the amount of Rs. 13,000 to the specified PhonePe account, completing the transaction under the observation of the anti-corruption sleuths.

Investigating officials noted that the demand for the bribe and the subsequent directions to make the payment via PhonePe were recorded, providing key evidence of the demand and acceptance of illegal gratification.

The identity and specific details of the complainant have been withheld by the authorities for security reasons following the operation.