Conviction comes 19 years after case was registered; Engineer took digital camera worth ₹11,200 as illegal gratification.
Vijayawada – The Special CBI Court in Vijayawada on Friday sentenced Matta Dharma Rao, former Assistant Divisional Engineer, South Central Railway (Bhimavaram, West Godavari), to one year of rigorous imprisonment along with a fine of ₹1,500 in a 2006 bribery case. The judgment marks the culmination of a nearly two-decade-long legal process, with the court holding that the accused had indeed accepted illegal gratification in exchange for clearing contractors’ bills.
Engineer sought digital camera worth ₹11,200 as bribe
According to the CBI, the case was originally registered on November 29, 2006. The FIR alleged that Dharma Rao, while serving as a public servant, abused his official position and demanded a digital camera with charger and batteries worth approximately ₹11,200 from a railway contractor as illegal gratification.
Investigators stated that:
- The accused demanded the camera as a reward for passing a sanctioned bill of ₹1,87,000
- And as a motive for clearing an additional pending bill worth ₹77,000
CBI officials said the accused intended to leverage his official authority to compel the contractor to provide a personal benefit. The acceptance of the camera, they added, constituted a clear act of bribery under the provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act.
CBI filed chargesheet in 2007 after establishing evidence
Following the registration of the case, the CBI conducted a detailed investigation and filed a chargesheet on June 11, 2007. The chargesheet asserted that Dharma Rao had misused his position as a public servant for personal gain.
Investigators established a direct link between the passing of bills and the acceptance of the digital camera. Witness testimonies, seized materials, and supporting documentary and technical evidence strengthened the prosecution’s case before the court. The CBI maintained throughout the trial that the accused’s actions were deliberate, premeditated, and in violation of the norms governing public office.
Court holds accused guilty after prolonged trial
After a prolonged judicial process lasting more than 18 years, the Special Judge concluded that the prosecution had successfully proved its case beyond a reasonable doubt. The court observed that:
- Passing bills in exchange for illegal gratification violates the core principles of public service
- The accused tarnished the integrity of his position through corrupt conduct
- A strong deterrent approach is essential to uphold transparency and public trust in government departments
Accordingly, the court sentenced him to one year of rigorous imprisonment along with a fine of ₹1,500. The judge further noted that even if the value of the bribe appears modest, the act of corruption itself has severe implications for institutional integrity.
CBI welcomes verdict, calls it step toward greater accountability
Officials from the CBI welcomed the court’s decision, stating that the verdict reinforces the principle of accountability in public service. The agency reiterated that corruption—regardless of magnitude—will be pursued with equal seriousness, and that such judgments strengthen public confidence in the anti-corruption framework.
