Hyderabad | A cybercrime investigator himself has landed in serious trouble after being accused of demanding a bribe from a complainant in exchange for sparing the complainant’s relatives and friends from being implicated in a cyber fraud case. Cyber Inspector Bathula Mahender of the Telangana Cyber Security Bureau (TGCSB) was arrested following an anti-corruption trap operation after allegedly demanding a total bribe of ₹9 lakh. The case has sparked fresh concerns about accountability and integrity within law enforcement agencies handling cybercrime investigations.
According to the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), the case stems from an ongoing cyber fraud investigation in which the complainant had previously been arrested and later released on bail. Investigators allege that Bathula Mahender exploited the complainant’s vulnerability by threatening to implicate his family members and close associates in the same case unless a substantial amount of money was paid.
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The ACB alleged that the inspector demanded a total of ₹9 lakh as illegal gratification. Of this amount, ₹5 lakh had already been paid in installments. Officials said the complainant’s father allegedly paid ₹2 lakh, while the complainant himself paid another ₹3 lakh over a period of time. Despite receiving the money, the officer allegedly continued to pressure the complainant for the remaining ₹4 lakh.
According to investigators, the complainant remained under constant fear that his relatives and friends could be drawn into the cyber fraud case. The alleged threats and repeated demands for money eventually prompted him to approach the Anti-Corruption Bureau and file a formal complaint.
After receiving the complaint, the ACB conducted a preliminary verification of the allegations. Once officials were satisfied that a prima facie case existed, they planned a trap operation. Working closely with the complainant, investigators monitored the alleged demands and gathered evidence before moving in to apprehend the accused officer.
The ACB stated that Bathula Mahender was caught at his office while allegedly demanding the balance amount of ₹4 lakh. Officials alleged that he abused his official position and sought an undue advantage for personal gain. The arrest was carried out as part of a carefully coordinated operation aimed at documenting the alleged bribery demand.
Following the arrest, anti-corruption officials conducted searches at the accused officer’s residence. During the searches, investigators reportedly recovered approximately ₹13 lakh in unaccounted cash. They also seized gold ornaments and several property-related documents, which are now being scrutinized as part of the ongoing investigation.
Authorities are currently verifying the source of the recovered cash and examining whether the assets are proportionate to the officer’s known sources of income. Investigators are also looking into the possibility that other individuals may have been subjected to similar demands during the course of cybercrime investigations handled by the accused.
Renowned cybercrime expert and former IPS officer Prof. Triveni Singh said that transparency and accountability are critical in cybercrime investigations. According to him, any misuse of investigative powers for personal financial gain undermines public trust in the justice system and damages the credibility of law enforcement institutions. He stressed that allegations of this nature must be investigated swiftly and impartially to ensure that public confidence in the rule of law remains intact.
Bathula Mahender has been arrested and is being produced before the designated court. Investigators are seeking judicial custody as they continue examining financial records, seized assets and other evidence linked to the case. With the investigation still underway, officials believe further disclosures may emerge from the analysis of the recovered cash, gold and property documents.
