Panchayat secretary caught taking ₹13,000 bribe in Mancherial district

The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) arrested a panchayat secretary from Mancherial district, J. Varalaxmi, for allegedly accepting a bribe of ₹13,000 in exchange for granting permission to construct a house and allotting a house number to a newly built house. The incident occurred in Lingayipalli village, Jannaram mandal. Varalaxmi had initially demanded ₹20,000 from the complainant, but after negotiations, agreed to accept ₹13,000 through UPI.

She provided the complainant with the contact number of another panchayat secretary, Lavanya. The complainant transferred the money as instructed by Varalaxmi. The ACB recorded the demand and subsequent payment, which would serve as evidence in the case. Varalaxmi was arrested and produced before a Special Judge for SPE and ACB Cases in Karimnagar.

The investigation is ongoing, and the complainant's identity remains confidential. The ACB encourages the public to report instances of public servants demanding bribes through their toll-free number, 1064.