Hyderabad: Rites GM arrested for demanding Rs 15 lakh bribe

Hyderabad: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) officials carried out searches at the house of a senior railway official working in the city, who was caught red-handed, allegedly, while accepting a bribe of Rs 15 lakh from a contractor for processing his bills. The person who was giving the bribe was also arrested.

According to CBI officials, the official was identified as K Venkateshawara Rao, Group General Manager (civil), RITES Project Office, Secunderabad. 

“Venkateshwar Rao, GGM (civil) was actively involved in awarding contracts for various works after collecting huge bribe amounts," said Superintendent of Police, CBI.

Recently, RITES Limited awarded a contract to M/s K V R Infrastructure Limited, represented by M Raj Kumar, Dindigul, Tamil Nadu of Rs 11 crore and the bill in question amounting to Rs 1.5 crore.

“K. Venkateshwara Rao demanded an illegal gratification of Rs 15 lakhs for clearing the pending bills of Mr Raj Kumar. The latter deputed his project manager Mr. Shankar to deliver the Rs 15 lakh as demanded. On receiving specific information we laid a trap and arrested K Venkateshwara Rao and Shankar,” the official said.

Soon after arresting him the officials started searches at the office of the official and seized some incriminating documents. The accused will be produced before the court on Sunday.

The CBI officials said that people who had any complaints with regard to corruption in the central government departments, insurance companies, PSUs and banks could lodged a complaint with them.