A corruption case has surfaced within the cybercrime policing system in Hyderabad. The Telangana Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) arrested 2 sub-inspectors posted at a cybercrime police station for allegedly demanding and accepting a bribe from an accused involved in a cyber fraud case.
The arrested officers, Pramod Goud and Jatavath Babu Naik, belong to the 2020 batch of Armed Reserve sub-inspectors and were posted at the Cyber Crime Police Station under the Malkajgiri police commissionerate. According to officials, they were caught in a trap laid by ACB officers at LB Nagar crossroads on Monday.
Investigators said the officers demanded ₹3 lakh from a complainant involved in a cyber fraud case registered in 2025 at the Cyber Crime Police Station of the then Rachakonda commissionerate. The officers allegedly offered to issue a notice under Section 35 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita instead of arresting him.
Out of the demanded ₹3 lakh, officials said ₹1 lakh was meant as a bribe, while ₹2 lakh was to be returned to the original victim of the cyber fraud. However, the complainant brought only the bribe amount, which led to the trap operation.
According to ACB officials, Jatavath Babu Naik accepted the money on behalf of both officers. The entire ₹1 lakh, treated with a chemical marker, was recovered from his possession in the presence of independent witnesses.
“The accused officers performed their duties improperly and dishonestly to obtain undue advantage,” the bureau said in an official statement.
Following the recovery of the marked cash, both officers were taken into custody. They are expected to be produced before the Special Court for SPE and ACB cases for judicial remand on Tuesday.
The case is linked to a cyber fraud complaint filed in 2025, where a victim reported losing ₹1.8 crore in an online scam. Investigators found that ₹2 lakh from the fraud amount had been transferred to the bank account of the complainant, who runs a bricks business. He was later added as an accused for operating a “mule” account used to receive proceeds from the cybercrime.
The ACB has registered a case against the officers under the Prevention of Corruption Act.
The bureau also urged citizens to report corruption. Complaints can be made through the toll-free helpline 1064, via WhatsApp at 94404 46106, or through its verified social media channels. Officials assured that the identities of complainants will remain confidential.
Also read: Viksit Workforce for a Viksit Bharat
Do Follow: The Mainstream LinkedIn | The Mainstream Facebook | The Mainstream Youtube | The Mainstream Twitter
About us:
The Mainstream is a premier platform delivering the latest updates and informed perspectives across the technology business and cyber landscape. Built on research-driven, thought leadership and original intellectual property, The Mainstream also curates summits & conferences that convene decision makers to explore how technology reshapes industries and leadership. With a growing presence in India and globally across the Middle East, Africa, ASEAN, the USA, the UK and Australia, The Mainstream carries a vision to bring the latest happenings and insights to 8.2 billion people and to place technology at the centre of conversation for leaders navigating the future.
