Two Sangli Zilla Parishad Officials Caught in ACB Bribery Sting
The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) made a significant breakthrough on Thursday by apprehending two finance department officials from the Sangli Zilla Parishad while they were accepting a bribe of Rs 2,000. The accused officials had allegedly demanded illegal payment from a government employee in exchange for processing his provident fund withdrawal proposal.
The Bribery Demand and Complaint
According to ACB inspector Kishorkumar Khade, the case unfolded when a government official approached the anti-corruption department with a formal complaint. The main accused, Pujan Vilas Bhandare (31), who served as a senior accounts assistant, had explicitly demanded money to forward the complainant's proposal to higher authorities for processing Rs 5 lakh provident fund withdrawal.
"The complainant himself is a government official," revealed Inspector Khade. "Accused Bhandare demanded money from him to send the proposal to concerned higher zilla parishad officials. He also warned of no cooperation if Rs 2,500 was not paid."
During the complaint verification process, investigators discovered that the second accused, Nikhil Rajiv Kamble (35), a junior assistant in the provident fund section, had also encouraged the complainant to pay the bribe amount.
The Trap and Arrest
The ACB team laid an elaborate trap based on the verified complaint. In a carefully coordinated operation, Bhandare was caught red-handed in his office while accepting Rs 2,000 as bribe money. Although the initial demand was for Rs 2,500, the officials settled for the lower amount during the actual transaction.
Kamble was immediately taken into custody following Bhandare's arrest. Both officials now face serious charges under the Prevention of Corruption Act 1988, with the case officially registered at Vishrambaug police station.
Investigation Team and Implications
The successful operation was conducted under the guidance of ACB deputy superintendent Yasmin Inamdar. The executing team included ACB inspectors Kishorkumar Khade, Anmaldar Pritam Chougule, Ajit Patil, Umesh Jadhav, Chandrakant Jadhav, and other officers.
This case highlights the continuing challenge of corruption at various levels of administration, even involving relatively small bribe amounts. The incident raises serious questions about ethical practices within government departments, particularly those handling financial matters like provident funds that directly affect employees' livelihoods.
The ACB's prompt action demonstrates the agency's commitment to combating corruption regardless of the amount involved, sending a strong message to government officials who might consider engaging in similar illegal activities.
