Navi Mumbai Deputy Municipal Commissioner Arrested in Bribery Sting Operation
The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) in Navi Mumbai executed a significant arrest on Tuesday, apprehending Dr Kailas Gaikwad, the Deputy Municipal Commissioner of the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC). The arrest followed allegations that Gaikwad accepted a bribe of Rs 42,000 from a sub-contractor involved in municipal work.
Complaint and Investigation Details
According to ACB officials, the case originated when a sub-contractor filed a formal complaint on April 20. The complainant alleged that Dr Gaikwad had demanded a bribe as a commission to process and clear a bill amounting to Rs 21 lakh. This bill was related to encroachment removal operations conducted in the Airoli area between November 15, 2024, and November 15, 2025.
After thoroughly verifying the allegations presented in the complaint, the ACB initiated a carefully planned trap operation. The sting was set for Tuesday afternoon, targeting Gaikwad's office located on the third floor of the NMMC headquarters in Navi Mumbai.
Red-Handed Capture and Official Confirmation
At approximately 4 PM, ACB personnel moved in and successfully caught Dr Kailas Gaikwad red-handed while he was in the act of accepting the illicit payment. Deputy Superintendent of Police Dharmaraj Sonake provided official confirmation of the operation, stating, "We had received a written complaint from a sub-contractor alleging that DMC Dr Kailas Gaikwad demanded a bribe of Rs 42,000 from him as a 2% commission."
The arrest underscores the ACB's ongoing efforts to combat corruption within public administration and municipal bodies.
Legal Proceedings and Ongoing Investigation
Following the arrest, an First Information Report (FIR) has been formally registered against Dr Gaikwad at the NRI Coastal Police Station. The charges are filed under the relevant sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act, which criminalizes the solicitation and acceptance of bribes by public officials.
The investigation remains active as authorities delve deeper into the circumstances surrounding the alleged bribe demand and the specific details of the encroachment removal contract. Further legal actions and potential revelations are anticipated as the probe continues to unfold.
