HYDERABAD: Additional district judge Vaidya Vara Prasad is the fifth judge in Telangana to face ACB investigation for amassing disproportionate assets in the recent times.The probes have been launched against the judges in district and metropolitan courts following complaints from bar associations and individual advocates to the high court, charging the judges with amassing huge assets. Asserting that there is a perception among the public that corruption in the lower judiciary is increasing, TJAC convenor and advocate T Sriranga Rao said those judges facing corruption charges are being probed to instil faith among the people.Sriranga Rao told TOI, “We welcome the high court’s move as it is acting only on a proper complaint with documents. No anonymous complaints are taken up. Only when there is prima facie evidence, the court is issuing directions to the ACB.” He pointed out that there are several honest and upright judges in the lower judiciary. “There are some black sheep who should be weeded out of the system. Not only judges, even advocates and parties who are abetting it should also be booked,” said Sriranga Rao.The ball was set rolling on March 17 this year when the ACB unearthed disproportionate assets worth Rs3.5 crore of presiding officer (judicial officer) of labour court M Gandhi. The judge owned lands and properties in Hyderabad and West Godavari district in AP.

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