In a significant crackdown on corruption, officials from the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) apprehended a clerk from the Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar property tax department on Tuesday. The government employee was caught in the act while allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs 10,000.
The Bribe Demand for Tax Reduction
The incident revolves around a shop owner in the city's Gulmandi area. The complainant, who operates a puja items shop near the well-known Supari Hanuman Temple Road, had received a startling notice from the municipal corporation. The notice demanded payment of increased property tax along with arrears totaling a substantial Rs 3 lakh.
Seeking clarification, the shop owner met with the clerk, identified as Ravindra Adamane (41), on December 16. The very next day, Adamane visited the commercial establishment, measured the shop premises, and delivered alarming news. He informed the complainant that a commercial tax of Rs 3 lakh was due for the past seven years. Shockingly, Adamane then allegedly proposed a corrupt deal: he would slash the tax amount to a mere Rs 20,000 in exchange for a bribe of Rs 30,000.
ACB's Swift Action and Trap
Unwilling to succumb to the illegal demand, the shop owner demonstrated courage and approached the Anti-Corruption Bureau to file a formal complaint. Deputy Superintendent of Police Balasaheb Shinde provided details of the case. Following the complaint, the ACB team laid a trap to catch the accused red-handed.
The plan was executed successfully on Tuesday when Adamane arrived to collect part of the bribe money. He was arrested on the spot while accepting Rs 10,000 as the first installment of the illicit payment. The illegal gratification was solicited specifically to drastically lower the calculated commercial tax liability for the shop.
A Message Against Corruption
This arrest underscores the ongoing efforts by the Anti-Corruption Bureau to tackle graft at the grassroots level of civic administration. It highlights a disturbing practice where public servants exploit their positions to extort money from citizens dealing with routine tax matters.
The case serves as a stern warning to other officials engaged in malpractices and encourages citizens to report corruption without fear. The ACB's prompt action in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar reinforces the agency's commitment to upholding integrity in public service.
