Pune Health Official Arrested in Rs 3 Lakh Bribery Sting
The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) in Pune executed a successful trap on January 2, leading to the arrest of a 43-year-old employee of the state health department. The accused was caught red-handed while accepting a bribe of Rs 3 lakh, which he had allegedly demanded from a colleague to facilitate an inter-district transfer.
The Complaint and the Alleged Demand
According to the ACB's official statement, the case began when a complainant, also employed by the health department, was transferred from the Kolhapur zone to the Pune zone in June 2025. However, a senior official in the department reportedly withheld his posting order.
When the complainant approached this senior official for clarification, he was directed to meet the now-arrested accused, who was described as being in regular contact with the senior officer. It was at this point that the accused allegedly demanded a sum of Rs 3 lakh to ensure the complainant received his desired posting in Pune. Following this demand, the aggrieved employee decided to approach the Anti-Corruption Bureau and file a formal complaint.
The Sting Operation and Arrest
Acting on the complaint, the ACB laid a meticulous plan. On January 2, the complainant went to meet the accused as per the bureau's instructions. The moment the money changed hands, ACB officials moved in and apprehended the accused employee from the Pune zone health department. An offence was subsequently registered at the Bund Garden police station.
During interrogation, the arrested official made a significant claim. He stated that he had demanded the bribe on the orders of his senior official, pointing to a possible chain of corruption within the department.
Senior Official Denies Involvement
The senior official named by the accused was contacted for his version. He categorically denied any connection to the incident. "I have no connection with the incident. I did not make any such demand from anyone," he told The Times of India. He added, "I have learnt that someone associated with me acted in an unprofessional manner."
This case has thrown a spotlight on the murky processes sometimes involved in government transfers and postings. The ACB's action demonstrates its ongoing vigilance against corruption within public administration. The investigation is likely to probe deeper into the arrested employee's allegations regarding the senior official's role to determine the full extent of the corruption network.
