Andhra Pradesh: Holiday is right time for graft

Tirupati: If it is a holiday, getting trapped by anti corruption bureau (ACB) officials should be unlikely. This is what some of the corrupt officials think and are reportedly demanding bribes to be paid to them on any public holiday including Sundays. 

This fact was apparently highlighted as a result of a few cases recently handled by the ACB. The corrupt officials who were caught expressed the same reason of expecting holiday for ACB. 

K. Kamalakar who approached ACB a few months back said, "The concerned officer demanding bribe wants the money to be given to him on a holidays. He first asked me give it on Sunday. For some reason I was unable to give him that day. He refused to take the money the next day and asked me to meet him next Sunday. I could not understand why."

Tahasidar of Putalapattu mandal K. Sudhakaraiah was trapped by ACB at his residence in Pakala village of Chittoor district last month demanding and accepting a bribe amount of Rs 2 lakh from the complainant. He collected the amount at his house. On questioning, he said, "I thought the ACB would be inactive on holidays and asked the person to bring the money to my house on Sunday."

Another person from the electrical department was also caught red handed by ACB on a Sunday last month at a Bar in Nellore. According to those with knowledge, anyone including the corrupt should note that there is no holiday for ACB.

The ACB officials understand that government offices would be closed on Sundays and public holidays and there would be no one to give or accept bribes there. 

Speaking to Deccan Chronicle, Sankar Reddy, ACB, DSP, Tirupati said, "We have received information that corrupt officials are asking the bribe be given on Sundays.”