Telangana ACB uncovers misconduct at Shamshabad revenue office

Hyderabad: The Telangana Anti-Corruption Bureau has uncovered alleged misconduct and suspected corrupt activities during an unannounced inspection of the Shamshabad Tahsildar office in Telangana.

The probe, which commenced on May 8, examined the office of the Tahsildar, Executive Magistrate, and Joint Sub-Registrar in Shamshabad Mandal. During the inspection, ACB personnel recovered substantial amounts of unaccounted currency from multiple individuals.

Cash seizures and concealment attempts

Investigators seized Rs. 2.60 lakh in unexplained cash from a vehicle belonging to Tahsildar K. Ravinder Dutt. In a separate recovery, Revenue Inspector G. Krishna was found to possess Rs. 2.29 lakh in unaccounted funds. The ACB alleged that Krishna attempted to hide the money and conceal a file on a toilet roof. Additionally, licensed surveyor S. Prudhviraj was found with Rs. 10,000 in unaccounted cash.

Procedural violations and pending work

The bureau's findings revealed that the office had failed to maintain a personal cash register as required. The inspection also identified 68 applications under the Mee Seva scheme that remained pending beyond their prescribed processing timelines.

Jurisdictional overreach

During its preliminary assessment, the ACB determined that Tahsildar K. Ravinder Dutt had allegedly issued certificates and official proceedings that exceeded his authority without notifying senior officials. In certain land-related cases, he was found to have assumed powers typically reserved for the Land Reforms Tribunal.

Land transaction irregularities

The bureau observed that specific orders and correspondence concerning survey numbers in Shamshabad, Tondupally, and Sathamrai villages appeared to disproportionately benefit private entities. According to the ACB, these alleged actions resulted in losses to government assets and damaged public confidence in the administration.

The bureau's assessment concluded that the Tahsildar had conducted his responsibilities in an improper manner and had repeatedly exceeded his designated authority in multiple instances.