Deputy tahsildar caught red-handed taking Rs 12,000 bribe in Vijayawada

Vijayawada: In a swift anti-corruption operation, the Andhra Pradesh Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) officials of Vijayawada Range on Friday caught Chintakayala Appa Rao, Deputy Tahsildar-cum-in-charge revenue inspector in the Office of the Tahsildar, Vijayawada North Mandal, while allegedly accepting a bribe of ₹12,000. The case was registered following a complaint by Uppada Sai, a resident of VAMBAY Colony. According to ACB officials, the complainant's paternal grandmother owns a house in Vambay Colony. To avoid future property disputes, the family decided to obtain a family members' certificate. Sai's father, Uppada Ramu, applied for the certificate through a Mee Seva centre on January 29, 2026. After a field enquiry, the Ward Revenue Secretary submitted her report to the Tahsildar's office. However, despite the completion of the enquiry, the certificate was not issued. Acting on the ward revenue secretary's advice, the complainant approached the Tahsildar's office and met Deputy Tahsildar Appa Rao. It is alleged that the official demanded Rs 13,000 to process and issue the certificate, later reducing the amount to Rs12,000. Unwilling to pay the bribe, Uppada Sai approached the ACB, which laid a trap. On Feb 21, 2026, the accused was caught red-handed in his office room while demanding and accepting the bribe amount. He was immediately arrested. ACB officials are conducting searches at his residence and office premises. The accused is being produced before the ACB Court in Vijayawada. Appa Rao was initially appointed as an Office Subordinate on compassionate grounds in 2003 and rose through the ranks to become deputy tahsildar in 2022. He served in Vijayawada North Mandal since 2024.