Telangana ACB Arrests Two Cyber Crime SIs for Accepting 1 Lakh Bribe
In a significant crackdown on corruption within law enforcement, the Telangana Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) arrested two Armed Reserve sub-inspectors (SIs) posted at the Cyber Crime police station of the Malkajgiri police commissionerate on Monday. The officers, identified as Pramod Goud and Jatavath Babu Naik, both from the 2020 batch, were apprehended for allegedly demanding and accepting a bribe of 1 lakh from an accused involved in a cyber-crime case.
Details of the Bribery Trap
According to an official statement released by the ACB, the two sub-inspectors were caught in a meticulously planned trap laid by bureau officers at the LB Nagar crossroads in Hyderabad. Investigators revealed that the duo had solicited the bribe to issue a notice to the complainant under Section 35 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, rather than arresting him in connection with a cyber fraud case registered in 2025 at the Cyber Crime police station of the then Rachakonda commissionerate.
During the operation, ACB officers confirmed that Naik received the cash on behalf of both SIs. The entire sum, which had been treated with a chemical marker for evidentiary purposes, was successfully recovered from his possession in the presence of independent witnesses. The bureau emphasized in its release that "the accused officers performed their duties improperly and dishonestly to obtain undue advantage."
Background of the Cyber Fraud Case
The case originated in 2025 when a victim filed a complaint with the Cyber Crime police, alleging a loss of 1.8 crore in a sophisticated cyber fraud scheme. Out of this substantial amount, 2 lakh was transferred into the bank account of the complainant, who operates a bricks business. Consequently, he was added as an accused in the case for allegedly operating a 'mule' account used to receive proceeds from the criminal activity.
An ACB officer provided further insight, stating, "The two SIs had initially demanded 3 lakh in cash. Out of this demanded amount, 1 lakh was intended as their personal bribe, while the remaining 2 lakh was supposed to be returned to the victim of the cyber fraud. However, the complainant only proceeded with the bribe amount, leading to the arrest of the accused officers at the moment the bribe was accepted."
Legal Proceedings and Public Appeal
Following the seizure of the bribe money, Pramod Goud and Jatavath Babu Naik were formally arrested. They are scheduled to be produced before the special court for SPE and ACB cases on Tuesday for judicial remand. The bureau has registered a case against the accused under the Prevention of Corruption Act, underscoring its commitment to rooting out corruption within public services.
In light of this incident, the ACB reiterated its appeal to the public to report any demands for illicit gratification. Citizens are encouraged to use the bureau's toll-free helpline at 1064, or contact via WhatsApp at 94404 46106, or through its verified social-media handles. The ACB assures that the identities of complainants will remain confidential, fostering a safe environment for reporting corruption.
This arrest highlights ongoing efforts to maintain integrity in cyber crime investigations and serves as a stern warning against unethical practices in law enforcement.
