Hyderabad: The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has significantly stepped up its efforts to combat graft across Telangana in 2025, registering a surge in arrests and cases through the first five months of the year. By the end of May, the agency had filed 92 cases and enquiries—already nearing the total figures recorded in entire previous years.
Of the 80 formal cases registered so far in 2025, a staggering 64 were trap cases in which officials were caught red-handed while accepting bribes. The bureau also registered six disproportionate assets (DA) cases and 10 criminal misconduct cases. In addition, the ACB undertook five regular enquiries, four surprise checks, and three discreet enquiries. These operations led to the arrest of 100 individuals from various government departments.
17 Police Personnel Among Those Arrested
A department-wise analysis shows a wide reach of corruption across sectors. The police department saw 17 arrests, including constables, sub-inspectors, and even deputy superintendents of police (DSPs). The revenue department followed closely, with 14 arrests involving revenue inspectors, mandal surveyors, and sub-registrars.
The energy sector, represented by Telangana State Power Distribution Companies (TGSPDCL and TGNPDCL), accounted for nine arrests—including engineers and linemen. The panchayat raj and rural development department saw eight officials booked, such as mandal panchayat officers and clerical staff.
Even higher-ranking officials were not spared. A municipal commissioner from Jagtial district was among those arrested from the municipal administration department, while six officials from the irrigation department, including executive engineers, were also caught.
Other departments with arrested personnel include excise, agriculture, welfare, medical and health, forest, finance, transport, and education—highlighting the pervasive nature of corruption in public service delivery.
2025 Continues Upward Trend in ACB Performance
The current year is showing a clear upward trajectory in the bureau’s activity. In all of 2024, the ACB had registered 152 cases—including 129 trap cases, 11 DA cases, and 12 criminal misconduct cases. That year, the bureau also conducted 11 regular enquiries, 29 surprise checks, and 24 discreet enquiries, arresting a total of 223 individuals.
The revenue department topped the arrest chart in 2024 as well, with 45 officials booked—ranging from additional collectors to tahsildars and tax officers. The police department was next with 28 arrests, including an Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), circle inspectors, and other ranks. One of the most high-profile arrests was that of Central Crime Station ACP Uma Maheshwara Rao in a disproportionate assets case.
The municipal administration department followed with 24 arrests in 2024, including officials from Wanaparthy district and several sanitation and engineering staff. A broad range of other departments—including agriculture, health, roads and buildings, civil supplies, and education—also featured among the list of offenders.
Major Leap from 2023
The momentum seen in 2024 marked a sharp jump from 2023, when the ACB registered just 87 cases and five enquiries, resulting in 99 arrests. In comparison, the first five months of 2025 alone have yielded nearly the same number of arrests and a higher volume of trap cases, pointing to stronger enforcement and greater institutional commitment to rooting out corruption.
With its operations becoming more assertive and far-reaching, the ACB appears to be sending a strong message in 2025—no department is beyond scrutiny, and accountability will be enforced across the board.
