In a significant anti-corruption operation, the Palamu branch of the state Anti-Corruption Bureau has apprehended a government official for accepting illegal gratification in exchange for official documents.
Trap Launched After Complaint
The ACB sleuths swung into action on Thursday after receiving a formal complaint against Binod Ram, who served as an assistant at the circle office in Chainpur. The official was accused of demanding money to process a certified copy related to a mutation case.
According to the ACB statement, the complainant Anoj Prasad had approached the office for legitimate documentation but was asked to pay Rs 5,500 as bribe to get the work done. Instead of complying silently, Prasad decided to report the matter to the anti-corruption authorities.
Official Caught Red-Handed
Following the complaint, the ACB team designed a meticulous trap operation to catch the corrupt official in the act. The plan was executed perfectly, resulting in Binod Ram being apprehended while accepting the bribe money.
"The culprit was caught red-handed," confirmed the ACB in their official statement, emphasizing that the evidence against the government employee was incontrovertible. The entire amount of Rs 5,500 was recovered from the accused at the time of arrest.
Broader Implications
This case highlights the continuing challenge of corruption at grassroots level government offices, where citizens are often forced to pay bribes for routine services. The mutation process, which involves updating land records, is particularly vulnerable to such corrupt practices.
The successful operation demonstrates the ACB's commitment to tackling corruption in government offices across Jharkhand. It also sends a strong message to other officials who might be engaging in similar illegal activities.
Local residents have welcomed the action, hoping that such strict measures will help curb the corruption that ordinary citizens face while dealing with government paperwork.
