ACB files Disproportionate Assets case worth Rs.5 crores against Ranga Reddy Additional Collector
Hyderabad: The Telangana Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has initiated a case of Disproportionate Assets (DA) against M. Venkata Bhoopal Reddy, the Additional Collector (Land Revenue) for Ranga Reddy District, over allegations that he possesses assets far exceeding his known income sources. Investigations have uncovered assets valued at ₹5,05,71,676 (Five Crores Five Lakhs seventy-one thousand and odd), with ₹4,19,40,158 identified as disproportionate to his legitimate earnings. These numbers are based on documented assessments, but the actual market value is believed to be considerably higher.
Searches were carried out at several locations, including Bhoopal Reddy’s residence and properties owned by close relatives, where both movable and immovable assets were found. The ACB has indicated that an ongoing investigation is being conducted to determine these assets' full extent and origins.
This case follows Bhoopal Reddy’s involvement in a significant bribery scandal linked to the Dharani portal, which manages land records in Telangana. On August 13, 2024, the ACB arrested M.V. Bhoopal Reddy, then the Joint Collector of Rangareddy District, along with his subordinate, Y. Madan Mohan Reddy, a Senior Assistant, on bribery charges. They were allegedly caught accepting a bribe of ₹8 lakhs.
The ACB found that Madan Mohan Reddy took a bribe from Jakkidi Muthyam Reddy, a Gurramguda Village resident, at Gurramguda Cross Road. The money was demanded in exchange for removing 14 guntas of land from the prohibited list on the Dharani portal, Telangana's land records system.
The bribe amount was recovered from Madan Mohan Reddy's Maruti Swift Desire car, and a phenolphthalein test confirmed the presence of the substance on his hands.
During the Anti-Corruption Bureau's (ACB) interrogation, he claimed to be acting on behalf of the Joint Collector of Rangareddy District, M.V. Bhoopal Reddy. He phoned him and confirmed his involvement.
In a subsequent operation, the Anti-Corruption Bureau caught M.V. Bhoopal Reddy at 10:41 p.m. when he arrived at Peddamberpet ORR in his official vehicle. He allegedly received a bribe from his subordinate, Madan Mohan Reddy, inside the car. The recovered money tested positive for phenolphthalein.
Both officials are accused of misusing their official positions for personal gain. Subsequently, they were taken into custody and are currently under investigation for their roles in the bribery and disproportionate assets cases.
The ACB has urged the public to report any instances of bribery by calling their toll-free number, 1064. The identities of complainants will be kept confidential to ensure their safety.