An inspector of the Grocery Markets & Shops Board (Mathadi Board) and a private security guard were arrested by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) Navi Mumbai unit for allegedly demanding and accepting a Rs 43,000 bribe from an auto-rickshaw driver for issuing an official Mathadi worker registration receipt, officials said.
The accused have been identified as Bharat Rajaram Kadam (56), an Inspector-in-Charge (Class III) at the Grocery Markets & Shops Board office at APMC Market, Turbhe, and Vijay Narayan Pawar (38), a private security guard posted at the same office.
Rs 55,000 bribe allegedly demanded
According to the ACB, the 35-year-old complainant works as an auto-rickshaw driver. An acquaintance of his had recently resigned as a registered Mathadi labourer with the board.
The complainant subsequently applied on August 29 seeking appointment in his place. However, when he approached the office to get the registration receipt signed and approved in the name of the board's secretary, Pawar allegedly demanded Rs 5,000 for himself and Rs 50,000 on behalf of Kadam.
The total bribe demand was therefore Rs 55,000.
ACB verifies demand and lays trap
Unwilling to pay the bribe, the complainant approached the Navi Mumbai ACB on October 5. Officials verified the alleged demand on the same day.
During the verification, the accused allegedly negotiated and reduced the demanded amount to Rs 43,000.
The ACB subsequently laid a trap at the duo's office on the sixth floor of the Central Facility Building at the APMC Fruit Market in Turbhe.
Duo caught red-handed
At around 6.47 pm, the ACB team caught Kadam and Pawar red-handed while they were allegedly accepting the Rs 43,000 cash from the complainant inside the office cabin.
The trap was conducted in the presence of independent witnesses, the ACB said.
An offence is being registered against the two accused at APMC police station under Sections 7 and 7(A) of the Prevention of Corruption Act.
ACB urges citizens not to pay bribes
Dharmraj Sonke, Deputy Superintendent of Police, ACB Navi Mumbai, appealed to citizens not to pay bribes to public servants.
"We appeal to citizens not to pay bribes to any public servant. If any government official or public servant demands money to carry out official work, citizens must immediately approach and register a complaint with the Anti-Corruption Bureau," Sonke said.
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