Hyderabad: The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) conducted surprise searches at the LB Nagar Fire Station in Uppal Bhagayanth on Friday following allegations that fire department officials were demanding bribes from applicants seeking temporary licences to operate Diwali firecracker shops.
The ACB detected around 90 suspicious UPI transactions, ranging from ₹1,000 to ₹4,500, in the mobile phones of staff members during the inspection.
The ACB officials reportedly detained a few fire department personnel, including the in-charge inspector, for questioning. They also reportedly seized ₹40,000 in cash as part of the searches. Further investigation is underway.
According to officials, the prescribed online fee for issuing a temporary firecracker shop licence is ₹500. However, officials allegedly collected amounts higher than the stipulated fee from applicants. The bureau found that the suspicious UPI transactions had taken place over the preceding week.
The inspection further revealed that nearly 397 applications had been received for temporary firecracker shop licences, of which 26 were still pending. The ACB said a probe was underway to ascertain the reasons behind the delay in processing these applications.
The searches were conducted by ACB officials of the Ranga Reddy Range. The bureau has urged the public to report any official demanding money beyond the prescribed fee or deliberately delaying applications without valid reasons.