The Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) of Delhi executed a successful sting operation on Wednesday, leading to the dramatic arrest of two officials from the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD). The officials were apprehended in the act of accepting a bribe of Rs 2 lakh.
The Sting Operation Unfolds
According to ACB officials, the operation was launched based on a complaint filed by a contractor. The complainant alleged that the two MCD officials, identified as Sanjay Gupta and Ravinder Kumar, were demanding a bribe to clear his pending bills for work already completed. The contractor had undertaken projects for the MCD's Horticulture Department, but his payments were being deliberately withheld.
The ACB team laid a trap after verifying the initial allegations. The complainant, acting under the guidance of the anti-corruption sleuths, agreed to meet the officials to hand over the illicit cash. The exchange was set to take place at a pre-decided location. As soon as the money changed hands, the ACB team moved in and arrested both Gupta and Kumar red-handed with the bribe amount.
Roles and Demands of the Accused Officials
Investigations reveal that Sanjay Gupta held the position of Junior Engineer (JE), while Ravinder Kumar was serving as a Beldar within the MCD's Horticulture Department. Their roles involved supervising and certifying work done by contractors. It is alleged that they exploited this authority, creating unnecessary hurdles and delaying bill clearances unless their illegal demand for a 2% commission was met.
The bribe of Rs 2 lakh was reportedly the illicit commission for bills totaling Rs 1 crore. The officials had threatened to further delay the payments indefinitely if their demand was not fulfilled, putting significant financial strain on the contractor.
Legal Proceedings and Broader Implications
Following their arrest, both accused were produced before a competent court. The ACB has registered a case under the relevant sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act. A search was also conducted at the residential premises of the accused as part of the ongoing investigation to uncover any further evidence of disproportionate assets or misconduct.
This incident highlights the persistent issue of corruption within civic bodies and underscores the vigilance of Delhi's Anti-Corruption Branch. Such sting operations serve as a strong deterrent, signaling that demands for bribes, especially those affecting small businesses and contractors, will not be tolerated. The case also brings to light the challenges faced by vendors and contractors in dealing with municipal authorities and the critical need for transparent and accountable grievance redressal systems within government departments.
