'Corrupt' Telangana official caught red-handed accepting bribe, breaks down
What's the story
A revenue official in Huzurabad town of the Karimnagar district, Telangana, was caught red-handed while accepting a bribe. The accused, identified as Sandeep, is a camp clerk to the Revenue Divisional Officer. A video of his arrest has since gone viral on social media. The footage shows Sandeep being nabbed by undercover officers and asked to undergo the 'phenolphthalein test'—a procedure to confirm bribery involving money laced with a specific chemical substance.
Bribery confirmation
Phenolphthalein test confirms bribery
The phenolphthalein test is a technique used by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) to catch corrupt officials red-handed. The process includes dipping hands in water after touching bribe money smeared with an invisible chemical. If the person has accepted such tainted money, the water will turn pink on coming in contact with their hands. This color change acts as conclusive proof of bribery.
Bribe details
Official allegedly demanded ₹75,000 bribe
In this particular case, Sandeep is accused of demanding and accepting a bribe of ₹75,000 from a local farmer. The money was allegedly solicited in exchange for an official favor related to "NALA (Non-Agricultural Lands Assessment Act) conversion." NALA regulates the process of converting agricultural land to non-agricultural land in Telangana.