RDO in Hyderabad allegedly asks for Rs 1 cr bribe, locals 'beg' to collect money

A few locals in Hyderabad's Miyapur area staged a protest alleging that the local Revenue Divisional Officer (RDO) has sought a bribe of Rs 1 crore to enforce Court orders and 'colluded' with land grabbers. The protest was carried out by members of the New Cyber Valley Phase 11A Welfare Association which comprises over 40 people. Claiming that they were unable to pay the huge amount of bribe demanded by the official, the members resorted to 'begging' on the streets.

Association members alleged that Rajendranagar RDO Chandrakala K was trying to handover land that belonged to them, by allegedly misusing her position. These allegations came in the backdrop of an ongoing land dispute between members of association and one, Salam M Bawuazir over 3 acres of land in Miyapur. The matter even went to local Courts and even the High Court.

When TNM reached out to association president Purnachandar Rao, he said, "RDO has colluded with land grabbers and wants to favour them. She has issued orders withdrawing Section 145 of the CrPC that was in place, which will lead to encroachment of our lands."

He further alleged, "She demanded Rs 1 crore as a bribe, and as we could not pay it, we have urged the people in the area to donate us to bribe the official."

Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) 145 deals with the procedure in place, when a dispute concerning land or water is likely to cause breach of peace

Rao also said that they have approached the High Court against RDO's decision to withdraw 145 CrPC at the site.

Official denies allegations

However, when TNM reached out to RDO Chandrakala K, she called the allegations as "baseless" and "have no sanity".

Speaking to TNM, she said, "That's a matter between two parties who took up the matter to Court. I don't have any contact with these people, I have withdrawn 145 CrPC in my capacity as per the Supreme Court guidelines, as there is a provision that it should not be entertained for more than six months when the matter is in Court."

When asked about allegations of bribe she said, "I have never met this people in my life. If they have any contention with Court's verdict, they can appeal in an upper Court. But name calling and making baseless allegations for doing my duty is uncalled and unwarranted."

She also informed TNM that she has complained in a local Court against the people who made the 'malicious' allegations against her.

"We have already approached the local Court and filed defamation complaint, demanding criminal charges against the people who are deliberately spreading malicious and baseless allegations," she said.