Lokayukta Arrests BRC for Bribery in Barwani School Toilet Case
In a significant anti-corruption operation, the Indore lokayukta police apprehended a block resource coordinator (BRC) on Wednesday while he was accepting a bribe of Rs 5,000. The incident occurred in the Niwali tehsil of Barwani district, where the official was caught red-handed demanding the illegal payment for issuing a completion certificate related to the redevelopment of a girls' toilet at a government primary school.
Details of the Corruption Case
According to lokayukta SP Rajesh Sahay, the accused, identified as Mahendra Singh Rathore, who was posted as BRC at the Niwali janpad shiksha kendra, along with sub-engineer Ashwin Dagar associated with the same center, have been formally charged. They face legal action under the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Act, 2018, and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023. This case highlights ongoing efforts to combat graft in public administration.
Complaint and Investigation Process
The action stemmed from a complaint filed by Jitendra Soni, the in-charge headmaster of Govt Primary School, Khatri Faliya-Pipaldhar. Soni reported that Rs 20,000 had been sanctioned for the toilet redevelopment project. However, due to technical issues, the funds could not be accessed, prompting him to complete the work using his personal finances. When he approached the officials to obtain the necessary completion certificate, Rathore allegedly demanded a bribe of Rs 5,000. After verifying the complaint, the lokayukta team deemed it genuine and set up a trap to catch the culprits in the act.
Sting Operation and Arrest
On Wednesday, Rathore summoned the complainant to a location near an SBI ATM kiosk in Rajpur. As soon as he accepted the bribe money, the lokayukta team, which had been stationed nearby, immediately intervened and arrested him. This swift action demonstrates the effectiveness of coordinated efforts to root out corruption at the grassroots level, ensuring accountability in public service.
