HYDERABAD: In a sweeping anti corruption drive, the Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB) carried out surprise inspections at 13 Mee Seva centres across Telangana, uncovering a network of irregularities ranging from fraudulent documentation to illegal fee collection and the involvement of unauthorised middlemen.
The coordinated inspections were conducted across key locations, including Hyderabad, Khammam, Mancherial, Sangareddy, Nizamabad, Warangal, and Suryapet, as part of a broader initiative to ensure transparency in citizen service delivery systems.
One of the most serious violations surfaced at a Mee Seva centre in Alwal, where officials discovered blank attested certificates stored at a nearby photocopy shop. These included sensitive documents such as EWS, caste, income, residence, police verification, and non-creamy layer certificates. Authorities also seized pre attested affidavits and notary stamped papers suspected to be used for fabricating false records. Following the findings, a case was registered at the Alwal police station under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
Investigators also identified digital and financial links between Mee Seva operators and unauthorised agents. Evidence, including WhatsApp chats and transaction records, pointed to the active involvement of middlemen facilitating document processing for extra charges. Several centres were found to be collecting fees beyond the government-prescribed limits, placing an additional burden on applicants.
In Khammam, officials detected that certificates were being signed by individuals not authorised to do so, raising concerns about the authenticity of issued documents. Similarly, a raid at Saroornagar led to the seizure of blank signed notary papers, pre-attested bond documents, and multiple login credentials associated with different licence holders indicating possible misuse of access systems.
Additional violations were uncovered in other districts. A centre in Tarnaka was found charging unauthorised notary fees, while a facility in Sangareddy failed to maintain mandatory records related to stamp paper sales. In Suryapet, officials recovered several undelivered original certificates along with document bonds issued from other centres, suggesting lapses in document handling and accountability.
The ACB stated that the findings point to deep rooted systemic issues within the Mee Seva framework, with middlemen exploiting procedural gaps for personal gain. The agency confirmed that a comprehensive report detailing the violations will be submitted to the state government, recommending strict action against those involved.
The crackdown highlights growing concerns over the integrity of public service centres and signals stricter enforcement measures in the coming days to restore trust in the system.