Hyderabad: The delay in releasing cash seized by Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB) from ‘trap’ cases is posing a major challenge to investigation officers (IOs). Given the circumstances, ACB officials are all set to take alternative methods in using dummy notes based on the need.
A few months ago, the officials received a complaint about a bribery case. The victim approached the ACB after he was pressured to shell out a huge amount for getting a passbook for his agriculture land. The complainant was making arrangements to pay the revenue official, when ACB officials caught the officer red-handed. However, there has been a delay in releasing the seized amount because of legal issues.
"When dealing with trap cases, a team of ACB officials, led by a DSP-rank officer closely monitors the case details. When it comes to a huge amount, it will be a burden on the complainants to arrange such cash," sources said.
An investigation officer, who handled different such cases, said that the complainant arranges money in small amounts varying from Rs 1,000 to Rs 10,000.
ACB officials had planned to use dummy notes in trap cases earlier but the move was put aside due to several issues. According to sources, lakhs of rupees that were seized in trap cases are yet to be released. The ‘seized’ cash is normally deposited before the courts.
