Bandlaguda RTO, MVI & constable suspended over cash collection video | Hyderabad News

Hyderabad: The Telangana transport department has suspended three officials of the regional transport office (RTO), Bandlaguda, Hyderabad, following a viral video purportedly showing unauthorised collection of cash inside the office premises.The suspended officials have been identified as regional transport officer (RTO) L. Ramchander, motor vehicle inspector (MVI) D Bheem Singh and transport constable V Arun Kumar. The suspension orders were issued by transport commissioner K. Ilambarithi on Monday.According to the orders, the video showed a constable counting currency notes inside the RTO office at Bandlaguda during office hours, with applications submitted by public for transport services, including learner’s licences, reportedly kept before him. The orders also refer to allegations of unauthorised collection of money through brokers or agents.The transport commissioner said the video and photographs prima facie showed constable V Arun Kumar counting currency notes in the office premises in the presence of applicants and near a computer.The order states that handling such cash was not part of his official duties, while the source and purpose of the money remained unexplained. The department said a preliminary inquiry into the incident was already in progress.MVI held responsible for supervisionThe department also suspended MVI D Bheem Singh, who was responsible for the section/test area where the incident allegedly occurred.According to his suspension order, the MVI allegedly failed to adequately supervise the staff working under his control and prevent unauthorised handling of cash and the presence of unauthorised persons in the test area.The department also said that a process intended to be transparent and technology-based had been compromised and that records, CCTV footage and witnesses needed to be secured from possible influence.RTO suspended over failure to control systemRTO L Ramchander, being the head of the Bandlaguda office, was also suspended. The order holds that, prima facie, there was a failure to control an unauthorised collection of money, cash handling by staff and the presence of brokers in the office.It specifically notes that such issues occurred despite earlier instances and warnings, and says the suspension was necessary to ensure that the inquiry was not prejudiced.All three officials have been placed under suspension with immediate effect under Rule 8(1) of the Telangana Civil Services (Classification, Control and Appeal) Rules, 1991.