A growing trend of police officers being caught red-handed while accepting bribes has left the public disheartened. Within a week, two sub-inspectors (SIs) were apprehended by Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) officials in separate cases in Nizamabad and Kamareddy districts, both caught within their respective police stations. On November 8, Varni SI Krishna Kumar was caught at Varni police station while accepting a Rs.
20,000 bribe from an accused. Similarly, Lingampet SI Arun was apprehended on Thursday at Lingampet police station while receiving Rs.10,000.
Both officers had demanded bribes in exchange for granting station bail. Under Section 35(3) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhitha (BNS), police station house officers have the authority to grant station bail in cases carrying a punishment of less than seven years. However, this provision is often misused, with police officers demanding bribes from accused individuals.
In many cases, constables act as intermediaries to collect these illicit payments. The scale of bribery varies, with amounts ranging from Rs.10,000 to over Rs.
1 lakh, depending on the severity of the case. Additionally, police officers are alleged to regularly accept bribes from sand smugglers, gutka operators, and illegal gambling mafias. In Nizamabad and Kamareddy districts, the absence of a regular police commissioner has added to the concerns.
SP Ch. Sindhu Sharma currently serves as the in-charge commissioner. Reports also suggest that some officers secure desira.
