RTA Officials Collecting Illegal Payments At Bhiknoor Check Post: ACB
Multiple drivers arriving at the RTA checkpoint were routinely offering cash payments to secure passage: ACB
Hyderabad: Telangana Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) on Wednesday conducted a surprise check at RTA check point at Pondurthi of Bhiknoor mandal in Kamareddy district.
During the course of the search operation, an unaccounted sum of 16,000 was recovered from the possession of Assistant Motor Vehicle Inspector (AMVI) Sam Richardson, and Rs.9,000 from private agent G. Shiva Kumar.
An additional amount of Rs.24,000 was found concealed within an office file folder. Moreover, it was observed that multiple drivers arriving at the RTA checkpoint were routinely offering cash payments to secure passage, suggesting the existence of a longstanding and organized system of extortion.
Upon verification, Rs.23,000 was recovered at the checkpoint at the time of inspection, with potential for further accrual as proceedings advance. Thus an amount of Rs.52,000 which was unaccounted was seized. It was also noticed that the RTA officials had engaged five unauthorized private individuals to assist in checkpoint operations, four of whom were found on site.
The officials were noticed intentionally neglecting their duties, allowing agents to stop vehicles and collect illegal payments from drivers and vehicle owners. A detailed report will be sent to the State government, recommending necessary action against officials concerned.
