Bribe Payments via Digital Apps? Eight TGSPDCL Staff Suspended After Vigilance Probe
Hyderabad, Feb 20: Serious concerns have emerged within the Telangana power utility sector after eight employees of the Telangana Southern Power Distribution Company Limited (TGSPDCL) were placed under suspension following a vigilance investigation that reportedly confirmed corruption charges.
According to official records from the Chief Vigilance Office (CVO), disciplinary action was initiated after inquiries found evidence of bribery, misconduct, and irregularities involving officials across multiple districts. Sources indicate that in several instances, bribes were allegedly demanded or accepted through digital payment platforms such as PhonePe, raising questions about monitoring mechanisms within the department.
Officials Named in Vigilance Report
Documents show that corruption charges were proved against the following personnel:
- R. Ananda Reddy, ADE/Operations, Bhongir (Yadadri district) – accused of irregularities in issuing power supply connections for EV charging stations at fuel outlets.
- Chinna Subba Rayudu, AE/Operations, Shantinagar (Gadwal) – allegedly demanded and accepted ₹25,000 as a bribe.
- Shahbaz Ahmed, AE/Operations, Bhagyannagar Section (Medchal) – faced allegations of corruption and procedural irregularities.
- G. Mahdusudhan, Sub-Engineer, Commercial Section, Sangareddy Circle – charged with corruption and misconduct.
- Jillapalli Srinivas, Lineman, Choutuppal (Yadadri) – accused of collecting ₹45,000 from a consumer on the pretext of sanctioning a 5 HP three-phase electricity connection without departmental approval.
- Shaik Shavali, Lineman, Alwalpad (Gadwal) – allegedly demanded and accepted ₹2,500 as a bribe.
- Dappu Anjilaiah, Junior Lineman, Juntupally village (Cybercity division) – vigilance inquiry confirmed corruption allegations.
- Md. Khaleel, Artisan Grade-III, Malakpet Section (Hyderabad South) – departmental action recommended after corruption findings.
All eight cases were documented under separate CVO reference numbers between September 2024 and January 2026, with inquiry reports concluding that the charges were substantiated.
Debate Over Timing
The suspensions have triggered debate within the utility. Employee unions claim the action may be linked to recent protests staged by engineers and staff over long-pending service and administrative demands. They allege the suspensions could be retaliatory rather than purely disciplinary.
However, officials maintain that the action is strictly based on vigilance findings and forms part of standard disciplinary procedures pending further departmental inquiry.
Larger Questions Raised
The case has sparked wider discussion about transparency and internal oversight in public utilities. If bribes were routed through digital payment platforms, observers question how such transactions escaped detection and whether monitoring systems require strengthening.
TGSPDCL has yet to release a detailed public statement explaining each case individually, but sources say further action could follow depending on departmental proceedings and possible criminal investigations.
