ACB seizes ₹2.4 lakh unaccounted cash from HMWSSB Joint Director

The Anti‑Corruption Bureau (ACB) of the state seized two lakh forty thousand rupees in cash from the Joint Director of the Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWSSB) after acting on an anonymous tip. According to the agency’s statement, the official was found carrying the unaccounted money while returning home from the office, prompting officers to intervene and confiscate the cash on the spot. The ACB has said that the seizure is part of its routine checks aimed at preventing the misuse of public funds by senior officials.

HMWSSB is responsible for providing water supply and sewerage services to the greater Hyderabad region, a task that involves large budgets and complex procurement processes. The presence of a substantial amount of cash in the possession of a senior officer raises questions about possible irregularities in contract awards, procurement of equipment or personal enrichment schemes that have plagued several public utilities in recent years. While the seized amount represents a fraction of the board’s overall financial turnover, authorities view any unexplained cash as a red flag that warrants a thorough investigation.

The incident underscores the state’s intensified focus on curbing corruption within essential service providers, and it may prompt other departments to review their cash handling protocols. Citizens of Hyderabad have expressed concern that any hint of financial impropriety could affect the quality and reliability of water services, making transparency a priority for the municipal administration. The ACB has indicated that it will submit a detailed report to the senior police officials, and the case could lead to disciplinary action or criminal proceedings depending on the findings of the subsequent inquiry.