The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has apprehended a Sub-Inspector from Hyderabad's Tolichowki police station for demanding a bribe to suppress a criminal case. The officer was caught red-handed, marking another blow to police integrity in the city.

  • SI R. Pandu Naik arrested for accepting a ₹10,000 bribe.
  • The bribe was demanded to avoid registering a case and to prevent passport seizure.
  • The operation was conducted by the ACB City Range-I unit in Hyderabad.

In a significant crackdown on systemic corruption, the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) on Tuesday caught R. Pandu Naik, a Sub-Inspector of Police attached to the Tolichowki police station, red-handed while accepting a bribe of ₹10,000. The operation took place within the Golconda Zone of the Hyderabad Police Commissionerate, sending a strong signal to public servants regarding official misconduct.

According to official reports, the accused officer had leveraged his position of power to demand an illegal gratification from a complainant. The motive behind the bribe was multi-faceted: Naik allegedly promised not to register a formal case based on a complaint lodged by the complainant's mother, agreed to settle a domestic dispute amicably between family members, and crucially, promised not to seize the individual's passport.

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Why This Matters

BozokMedia analysis shows that this incident highlights a recurring pattern of 'settlement culture' within local police stations, where official procedures are bypassed for monetary gain. When law enforcement officers trade legal immunity for bribes, it undermines the entire judicial framework and erodes public trust in the police force. This specific case involving passport seizure suggests a high-stakes pressure point used by officers to extort citizens.

The systemic failure occurs when the protectors of the law become the primary obstacles to justice, necessitating aggressive ACB interventions.

The ACB's City Range-I unit meticulously planned the trap, resulting in the recovery of the tainted ₹10,000 from the officer's possession. The agency has formally charged Naik with improperly and dishonestly performing his official duties to obtain an undue advantage, which is a severe violation of the Prevention of Corruption Act.

Following the arrest, R. Pandu Naik was produced before the Principal Special Judge for SPE & ACB cases at Nampally for judicial remand. While the investigation continues, the ACB has chosen to withhold the identity of the complainant to ensure their security and prevent potential retaliation.

Did You Know?: The ACB provides a dedicated toll-free number, 1064, specifically for citizens to report bribe demands by public servants anonymously.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: What was the specific reason for the bribe demand?
The SI demanded ₹10,000 to avoid filing a case lodged by the complainant's mother and to ensure the complainant's passport was not seized.

Q2: Where is the accused officer currently?
The officer has been arrested and produced before the Principal Special Judge for SPE & ACB cases at Nampally for judicial remand.