Rajander up Cennam’s Gopala Krisna | Photo credit: Buy Arrantort
A forest department official and another person were arrested by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) on Saturday (January 2025) for demanding and accepting a bribe of ₹ 3.51 lakh from a complainant in Bhadradri Kothagudem district.
The accused have been identified as Thadi Rajender, plantation manager, forest sub-division, Bhadradri Kothagudem and Chennam Gopala Krishna, a private individual.
According to the ACB, the trap was laid on January 3 around 1.37 am at the residence of Gopal Krishna in Khammam. The bribe was allegedly demanded on behalf of Thati Sravani, Divisional Manager, Kothagudem, Telangana Forest Development Corporation Limited, for approving the complainant’s accounts related to felling of one unit of eucalyptus trees, estimated to be around 3,900 tonnes.
Thadi Rajender and Chennam Gopala Krishna were arrested and produced before a special court for SPE and ACB cases in Warangal. Divisional manager Thati Sravani is on the run trying to track her down.
The case is under investigation and the identity of the complainant has been withheld for security reasons. The ACB reiterated that the public can report bribery claims by civil servants by calling the toll-free number 1064, thereby ensuring the confidentiality of complainants.
Published – 03 Jan 2026 20:36 IST
