ACB suspects ‘clandestine code system’ by mediators at RTA office

Was a ‘clandestine code system’ being used to collect bribes from mediators and brokers at the Uppal Road Transport Authority office in Hyderabad?

Sleuths of the Anti-Corruption Bureau, who conducted a surprise check at this office as part of similar inspections across the State a couple of days ago, are trying to find an answer. The question arose after the ACB officials stumbled upon some papers relating to driving license applications, vehicle ownership transfer and other transactions related to Transport department with some ‘code signs’. 

While three vertical lines like ‘lll’ were found on some application papers or documents, specific letters in the headings of forms were found ‘circled’ with either pen or pencil. Initially, the ACB sleuths did not take those ‘marks’ on the papers seriously but eventually realised there was something fishy about these ‘lines’ and ‘circled’ letters. 

During the surprise check, officials from the anti-graft agency found a separate network of ‘mediators’ linking the agents and persons working inside the RTA offices, said a top official, who oversaw the surprise checks, on condition of anonymity. 

It is suspected that these mediators ‘fix a deal’ between the agents and the RTA ‘sources’, and a code system was devised for easy recognition of the agent sending the form. 

For example, if the mediator’s name is Srinivas and the application or document has any letter from that name, that particular letter is encircled with a pen or pencil to indicate the mediator. As an additional confirmation feature, in some cases three vertical lines are drawn on the application papers. 

“These lines are marked on the papers in such a fashion that a casual glance will not arouse any suspicion but the message is clear to the officials in the RTA office,” the officer explained. The ACB officials also stumbled upon material suggesting that the mediators used online payment modes like Google Pay or PhonePe for transferring money to the officials concerned. 

It is said that persons working in the RTA office deleted details of the online payments they had received or paid. But the ACB officials are planning to verify details of the bank transactions of the mediators, agents and the authorities.