HYDERABAD, Nov 22: Hesco Kotri circle SDO Jalaluddin Abbasi and line superintendent Abu Bakar Siddiq were allegedly caught red-handed while receiving bribe from a consumer during a raid conducted by Hesco's intelligence wing officials.

It was learnt that the raid was conducted by Maj Asif of the intelligence wing after informing superintendent engineer of circle-II Habibullah Khilji. Mr Khilji confirmed that the raid had been conducted and the two officials immediately suspended by the chief executive of Hesco. However, he refused to disclose details of the case.

A consumer, Irshad, had agreed to pay Rs60,000 bribe to the line superintendent for restoring power supply to his tube-well in Jhirk, Thatta district. He told the intelligence officials that he was being threatened by the SDO and line superintendent that unless he paid bribe, a detection bill for the tube-well would be issued.

While the money was handed over to the line superintendent, the raid was conducted. A source said that the SDO was not present on the spot and had gone to nearby Hesco office.

When he returned, he was informed that the line superintendent had blamed him for asking him to take money for solving Irshad's problem. The team is reported to have recorded statements of both the officials and videotaped the episode.