Thu May 08 00:30:00 UTC 2025: ## Fake ACB Officer Arrested in Visakhapatnam for Extortion Attempt
**Visakhapatnam, May 7 (Andhra Jyothi):** Visakhapatnam PM Palem police arrested a man on Wednesday for impersonating an Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) officer and demanding a bribe. Balaga Sudhakar, a resident of Patapatnam, Srikakulam district, who is involved in real estate, posed as an ACB inspector at the Madhurawada Sub-Registrar’s office.
Sudhakar threatened the Joint Sub-Registrar, Chakrapani, claiming to have received numerous complaints of corruption and demanding ₹5 lakh to avoid registering a case. Suspicious, Chakrapani stalled him, promising the money the next day and immediately contacted the ACB.
Upon confirmation that no such officer existed, a joint operation was launched by the ACB and PM Palem police. Sudhakar was apprehended Wednesday afternoon as he arrived at the office in his car.
Investigations revealed that Sudhakar, previously arrested in a robbery case, had even spoken to the Joint Sub-Registrar over the phone, pretending to be speaking with a woman police officer from another district whom he introduced as a Joint Director of the ACB. Police seized Sudhakar’s phone which contained photos of him with TDP leaders, suggesting links to the party. Police are further investigating these connections.
The police are also investigating a female AR police officer from Guntur district, who Sudhakar claimed to be a Joint Director of the ACB, and who spoke with the Joint Sub-Registrar on the phone. This officer, who previously worked in Visakhapatnam, is currently under investigation for her potential involvement in the extortion attempt. The woman officer had previously faced allegations of accepting bribes through a constable in a currency exchange case.
Sudhakar has been remanded. The police are continuing their investigation into the matter.
First Piper 