Civic commissioner, husband held for graft

Vijayawada,Nov 5: Machilipatnam municpal commissioner Satyavathi and her husband Veeranjaneya Prasad,a pysics lecturer in a local college,have been produced before a special court for Acb cases here on Thursday.The sleuths of Anti-Corruption Bureau laid a trap and arrested the couple when they were taking a bribe of Rs 5,000 from one B Venkateswara Rao,a junior assistant of Bandarkota High School in.Machilipatnam.Venkateswara Rao was placed under suspension on October 7 last for his alleged unauthorised absence.The commissoner allegedly demanded money for forwarding his enquiry report to the regional director,Municpal admistration, Rajahmundry. While Satyavathi termed the Acb action as a conspiracy hatched against her,DSP Rammaheswara Sarma (Acb) said the raid was conducted on a specific information.

The raids were conducted at a time when the commssioner was acting tough with municipal contractors and people's representatives who took up sub-standard works. According to Acb officials,the commissioner demanded Rs 10,000 from Venkateswara Rao for revoking his suspensin.When he exressed his inability to pay Rs 10,000 the commissioner settled it for Rs 5000.Satyavathi was away when Venkateswara Rao reached her house to hand over the money. Howver,her husband acceprted the money when the Acb sleuths swooped on him.Meanwhile, Satyavathi alleged that it was a conspiracy by some people’s representatives. Her husband claimed that Venkateswara Rao fled when he and his servant tried to nab him.When Rao tried to jump the wall the neighbours caught hold of him. However,he was rescued by Acb officials.