Hyderabad, August 24 (Maxim News): An ACB trap in Nirmal led to the arrest of two State Tax Department officials for allegedly accepting a ₹50,000 bribe on August 24, 2026.
The Anti Corruption Bureau conducted the operation in the Adilabad Range based on a complaint from a 65 year old businessman from Mancherial district.
The accused include Koppela Gadavari, State Tax Officer, Nirmal Circle, Adilabad Division, and Manthri Sai Krishna, Senior Assistant attached to the Assistant Commissioner of State Tax, Nirmal Circle.
According to the ACB, the officials initially demanded ₹1 lakh from the complainant. They allegedly sought the money for an official favour linked to an audit of Laxmi Prasanna Jewelers.
The audit covered the financial years 2022 to 2023 and 2023 to 2024. The officials allegedly offered to issue a favourable audit report for the business records.
The ACB said such a report could help the business show lower turnover and GST liability. It could also result in a corresponding revenue loss to the government.
The complainant reportedly resisted the initial demand. Subsequently, the officials reduced the amount to ₹90,000, then ₹80,000, and finally ₹50,000.
The complainant then approached the ACB and reported the alleged demand. Based on the complaint, officials laid a trap on August 24.
During the operation, Gadavari allegedly received ₹50,000 from the complainant. She then handed the money to Sai Krishna, according to the ACB.
Officials subsequently recovered the tainted currency from the accused officers.
ACB Trap in Nirmal Leads to Custody of Two Officials
The ACB also conducted chemical tests on the hands of both accused officers. The tests reportedly produced positive results and turned pink.
The result indicated contact with the tainted currency during the trap operation, according to the agency.
The ACB said the two officials allegedly demanded and accepted illegal gratification by misusing their official positions. The agency has taken them into custody and initiated further legal proceedings.
The accused officials will be produced before the Special Judge for SPE and ACB cases, according to the press note. The case remains under investigation.
Meanwhile, the ACB withheld the complainant’s identity for security reasons. The agency also urged citizens not to pay bribes to public servants.
Citizens can report demands for illegal gratification to the Telangana ACB through its toll free number 1064. The agency also said people can contact it through its official social media channels.
The ACB said it would protect the identity and details of complainants who report bribery demands.
The latest ACB Trap in Nirmal highlights the bureau’s action against alleged misuse of official authority. It also underscores the need for citizens to report demands for illegal payments instead of complying with them. (Maxim News)
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