In a significant crackdown on corruption, the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) apprehended a municipal fire officer in Gujarat on Friday for allegedly accepting a bribe in exchange for granting crucial safety clearances.
The Trap and Arrest
The accused, identified as Sanjay Vasani, a Class III station fire officer serving with the Gondal municipality, was caught red-handed by ACB officials. The arrest took place on Friday near a hotel on the Rajkot-Junagadh Highway near Kotda Sangani.
According to the ACB, Vasani had allegedly demanded a bribe of Rs 50,000 from a complainant. The bribe was in exchange for approving three fire no-objection certificates (NOCs) required for a petrol pump. Unwilling to comply, the complainant approached the ACB and filed a formal complaint.
How the Operation Unfolded
Acting swiftly on the complaint, the anti-corruption team laid a meticulous trap. As per the pre-arranged plan, the complainant met Vasani at the designated spot on the highway. After a brief conversation, Vasani allegedly accepted the marked currency notes amounting to Rs 50,000.
Immediately after the money changed hands, the waiting ACB team swooped in and apprehended Vasani at the spot. The officials recovered the bribe amount from his possession.
Legal Action Initiated
The ACB has confirmed that further legal proceedings have been initiated against the accused fire officer. A case has been registered under the relevant sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act.
This incident highlights ongoing concerns about corruption in the process of obtaining essential safety and regulatory clearances. The ACB's successful trap operation underscores the agency's vigilance against such malpractice, especially when it involves public safety mechanisms like fire approvals for potentially hazardous establishments like petrol pumps.
