ACB Arrests Village Survey Assistant for Accepting ₹14,000 Bribe in Krishna District
In a significant anti-corruption operation, sleuths from the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) apprehended a Village Survey Assistant (VSA) red-handed while he was demanding and accepting a bribe of ₹14,000 on Friday. The incident occurred in the Krishna district of Andhra Pradesh, highlighting ongoing efforts to combat corruption at the grassroots level.
Details of the Bribery Case
The accused, identified as Sunkara Rajesh, was working at the Pedayadara revenue secretariat in Machilipatnam. Following his arrest, he was promptly produced before the ACB special court in Vijayawada. The case originated from a complaint filed by Vannemreddy Vana Venkata Ravindranath, a resident of Machilipatnam, who alleged that Rajesh demanded the bribe for issuing survey certificates for agricultural lands.
These lands belong to the complainant's mother and sister and are located in Vadapalem village. Based on this complaint, a formal case was registered under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act (1988, amended 2018). ACB officials have initiated searches at both Rajesh's residential and office premises to gather further evidence and uncover any additional illicit activities.
Parallel Investigation at Kadiyam Sub-Registrar Office
In a separate but related development, the ACB continued its checks for the second consecutive day at the Kadiyam sub-registrar office (SRO). During this inspection, officials uncovered significant irregularities that raise serious concerns about procedural compliance and transparency.
The investigation revealed that 911 documents registered in 2025 lacked proper supporting papers, indicating potential lapses in documentation and verification processes. Additionally, it was noted that out of 144 documents registered on January 28 and 29, a staggering 107 were not delivered to the concerned parties, blatantly violating established rules and protocols.
Cash Seizure and Previous Actions
On Thursday, prior to the ongoing checks, ACB officials had seized ₹79,000 in cash from the drawer of SRO Eppili Lakshmi. Alongside this seizure, they discovered 10 documents that were registered under valuation at the office, further complicating the scenario.
Lakshmi, who was promoted to SRO Grade-I in 2024, has a career history that includes postings at Kakinada, Prathipadu, Amalapuram, and Peddapuram before her assignment to Kadiyam. The ACB has launched a comprehensive probe into these findings to determine the extent of any misconduct or procedural breaches.
These simultaneous actions by the Anti-Corruption Bureau underscore a rigorous approach to tackling corruption and ensuring accountability in public offices across Andhra Pradesh. The investigations are ongoing, with authorities committed to rooting out malpractices and upholding integrity in governance.
