ACB conducts raids at Uppal fire station over bribery allegations in cracker shop licences

The Anti-Corruption Bureau conducted surprise searches at the Uppal Bhagayath fire station in Hyderabad following allegations that fire department officials were demanding bribes for issuing Diwali firecracker shop licences.

Hyderabad: The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) officials conducted surprise searches at the fire station in Uppal Bhagayath, which falls under the LB Nagar jurisdiction, following complaints that officials were demanding bribes from applicants seeking licences to operate Diwali firecracker shops.

The ACB officials reportedly detained a few fire department officials including the in-charge inspector, for questioning. They reportedly seized Rs 40,000 in cash and identified 80 online transactions suspected to be linked to the alleged irregularities.

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Officials are also scrutinising several pending applications for firecracker shop licences. The raids are being conducted under the supervision of Rangareddy District ACB DSP Anand Kumar. Searches are continuing and further investigation is on.