The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has uncovered a range of serious irregularities during surprise inspections at 13 MeeSeva centres across Telangana, uncovering large scale document fraud, overcharging and involvement of unauthorised agents in public service delivery.

The inspections, carried out on Wednesday, April 15, covered centres in Hyderabad, Rangareddy, Mancherial, Khammam, Mahabubnagar, Sangareddy, Nizamabad, Warangal and Suryapet. Key locations in Hyderabad included Amberpet, Khairatabad, Alwal, New Mallepally, Tarnaka and Saroornagar.

The raids follow a recent report by The Hindu, which exposed widespread overcharging and raised serious concerns about an organised agent nexus operating around MeeSeva outlets.

During the checks, officials detected evidence suggesting the preparation and circulation of fraudulent documents using pre-attested blank papers. At a government MeeSeva centre in Alwal, a nearby xerox shop was found to be in possession of empty attested caste, income, residential and other certificates, along with blank notary-stamped papers.

Investigators also recovered fabricated affidavits and certificates linked to services under the Central government, raising concerns over organised misuse of official documentation. A criminal case has been registered at Alwal police station in connection with the findings.

The ACB also found multiple digital trails, including UPI transactions and WhatsApp conversations, indicating links between MeeSeva operators and unauthorised middlemen or agents.

Across several centres, operators were found to be collecting amounts far exceeding prescribed charges from applicants. In Khammam, unauthorised individuals were discovered signing certificates in place of authorised personnel, while in Tarnaka’s Sri Sai Communication Net, money was being collected in the name of notary services for each application.

At Thirumala Mee Seva Centre in Saroornagar, officials identified blank signed notary papers, pre-attested bond papers and multiple login credentials belonging to different licence holders, pointing to potential misuse of access and documentation processes.

In Sangareddy’s Sri Kethaki Sangameshar Communications, mandatory registers for the sale of stamp papers were not maintained, raising further compliance concerns.

In Suryapet, investigators found undelivered original certificates meant for applicants, along with certificate bonds issued by other MeeSeva centres at Sree Sai Vasavi Computers.

Officials said the findings indicate the presence of an entrenched network of unauthorised mediators operating around MeeSeva centres, extracting money from citizens under the guise of facilitating services.

Further verification is underway, and the ACB is expected to submit a detailed report to the government recommending action against the centres found violating norms. The agency has also urged the public to report any demand for bribes through its toll-free helpline or official channels, assuring confidentiality for complainants.