The Telangana Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) trapped a Forest Beat Officer (FBO) while allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs 10,000 in Bhadradri Kothagudem district today.
The accused, Banoth Naresh, was serving as FBO at Nadimigudem and was also holding additional charge of Sayanapalli under the Gundala forest range. He was caught red-handed at his office in Gundala while receiving the bribe from a complainant.
According to ACB officials, the officer had allegedly demanded the amount to avoid interfering in the cultivation of around five acres of assigned podu land belonging to the complainant's family in Venkatapuram revenue village.
Podu lands, often linked to forest rights, have been a sensitive issue in Telangana, with frequent disputes between forest officials and local cultivators.
The tainted cash was recovered from Naresh's possession at his instance, and chemical tests reportedly confirmed the acceptance of the bribe.
The accused was arrested and is being produced before the Special Court for SPE & ACB Cases cum III Additional District and Sessions Judge in Warangal.
The case is under investigation.
filed in:Telangana, Bribes, Arrests, Corruption, Anti-Corruption Bureau