APCPDCL Junior Lineman and Son Arrested in Guntur Bribery Sting
In a significant crackdown on corruption, the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) in Guntur has apprehended a junior lineman employed by the Andhra Pradesh Central Power Distribution Company Limited (APCPDCL) along with his son. The arrest was made after the official allegedly demanded and accepted a bribe of Rs 70,000 to process an application for installing an electric transformer and laying power cables on agricultural land.
Details of the Bribery Case
The incident unfolded in Chejerla village, located within the Palnadu district of Andhra Pradesh. According to the complaint filed by Gundala Yohanu, a resident of Chejerla, he had submitted an online application to the Chejerla Assistant Engineer (AE) office. This application sought permission to erect an electric transformer and lay an electric line on agricultural land owned by his mother and aunt in the village.
Following the submission, the Chejerla AE office assigned the accused junior lineman, identified as Nakkanaboina Nagendra Babu, to conduct a field inspection. His responsibilities included preparing a field inspection report and a rough sketch of the land, which were necessary steps for processing the application.
The Bribe Demand and ACB Intervention
Subsequently, the accused allegedly demanded a bribe of Rs 80,000 from the complainant at the Chejerla AE office to expedite the processing of the application. After negotiations, the amount was reduced to Rs 70,000. Unwilling to comply with this illegal demand, Gundala Yohanu lodged a formal complaint with the Guntur ACB.
Acting swiftly on the complaint, ACB officials set up a trap. The accused was caught red-handed near the grama sachivalayam (village secretariat) of Chejerla while demanding and accepting the bribe money. His son was also arrested for involvement in the scheme.
Legal Actions and Ongoing Investigations
The case has been registered under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, which was amended in 2018 to strengthen anti-corruption measures. This section specifically deals with public servants taking bribes to perform or refrain from performing official duties.
The arrested individuals were produced before the Vijayawada ACB magistrate for legal proceedings. In addition, searches are currently underway at the accused's residence and office premises to gather further evidence and uncover any additional illicit activities.
This arrest highlights the ongoing efforts by the ACB to combat corruption in public services, particularly in sectors like power distribution where such malpractices can hinder development and burden citizens.
