ACB Arrests Sub-Treasury Officer, Senior Accountant In Rs15,000 Bribe Case

Visakhapatnam: The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) on Tuesday arrested two treasury officials after they were caught red-handed demanding and receiving a bribe of Rs 15,000 from a government employee to process salary arrears.

The arrested officials were identified as treasury sub-officer Nalla Ravi Prasad and senior accountant at Treasury Sub-Office in Srikakulam, Ambakandi Srinivasa Rao. The arrests followed a complaint filed by Lopinti Hema Ragini, a digital assistant (Grade 6) at Killipalem Grama Sachivalayam.

According to ACB officials, Hema Ragini had availed medical leave from January 2022 to May 2023, which was later treated as extraordinary leave. Following the posting of probation with effect from May 5, 2023, his office processed the salary arrears of Rs 4,34,697 by December 31, 2025.

Srinivasa Rao allegedly demanded a bribe of Rs 20,000 when he approached the treasury sub-office on January 22 to expedite the processing of the debenture. The next day, deputy treasury Ravi Prasad also allegedly demanded a bribe. After negotiations between the two suspects, the amount was reduced to Rs 15,000.

Not wanting to pay the bribe, Hema Ragini approached the ACB in Srikakulam; ACB registered a case under Section 7(a) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 and laid a trap.

Both officials were caught accepting bribes and arrested. They were later produced before the ACB court in Visakhapatnam. ACB officials also searched homes and workplaces.