In a significant crackdown on corruption, the state Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) in Pune apprehended a government officer red-handed while she was accepting a hefty bribe. The incident, which unfolded in Bhor taluka, highlights the persistent challenges of graft in administrative processes.
Officer Trapped While Accepting Illegal Payment
The ACB's Pune unit, acting on a formal complaint, laid a successful trap on Thursday. The accused, a circle officer from the Nigudghar circle in Bhor taluka, was caught accepting a bribe of Rs 1 lakh. The money was demanded from a local sand transporter to facilitate his legally sanctioned business operations.
The Sequence of Extortion and Threat
The case began when the complainant, who had obtained official permission to transport 200 brass of sand and paid the requisite royalty at the Bhor tehsil office, was approached by the officer. On November 30, the circle officer allegedly demanded a sum of Rs 1.5 lakh to allow the transportation to proceed without hindrance.
She backed her demand with threats of taking severe action against the transporter if the money was not paid. After negotiations, the officer agreed to reduce the amount to Rs 1 lakh. This clear demand for an illegal gratification prompted the victim to approach the ACB, setting the stage for the sting operation.
ACB's Swift Action Leads to Arrest
After verifying the complaint, a dedicated ACB team led by Suhas Hattekar orchestrated a meticulous trap. The operation was set near a marriage hall in Bhor. As planned, the officer was arrested at the very moment she accepted the marked bribe money from the complainant.
This arrest underscores the ACB's ongoing vigilance against corrupt practices within the state machinery, particularly in sectors like sand mining and transport, which are often vulnerable to such illegal demands.
The accused officer now faces serious legal consequences under the Prevention of Corruption Act. The case serves as a stern warning to public servants misusing their authority for personal gain and reinforces the importance of citizens reporting corruption to authorities.
