Navi Mumbai ACB Nabs Cidco Officer and Middleman in Bribery Sting Operation
In a significant crackdown on corruption, the Navi Mumbai Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has apprehended an assistant development officer from the City and Industrial Development Corporation (Cidco) and his alleged middleman for soliciting and accepting a bribe. The accused, identified as Shailesh Gharat (57), who held additional charge at the Cidco registration office in Nerul, and Nagendra Pandey (58), a resident of Ghansoli, were arrested following a meticulously planned trap.
Details of the Bribery Allegations
The case revolves around a contractor who sought a transfer certificate for an apartment in Sanpada, Navi Mumbai. According to ACB officials, the contractor submitted an online application for the certificate on June 11 last year, as he held the power of attorney for the property. However, the process allegedly hit a roadblock when Nagendra Pandey, acting as a middleman, demanded a bribe of Rs 4 lakh to facilitate the issuance of the certificate.
After negotiations, the bribe amount was reportedly reduced to Rs 2 lakh. Frustrated by the illicit demand, the contractor lodged a formal complaint with the ACB office on January 22, setting the stage for an investigation.
The ACB's Sting Operation and Arrests
ACB Deputy SP Dharmaraj Sonke provided insights into the operation. "Upon verification of the complaint on January 27, we confirmed Gharat's involvement in the bribery, with Pandey serving as the intermediary," Sonke stated. "Consequently, a trap was laid on January 28 afternoon at a hotel near Nerul railway station."
During the operation, Pandey was caught red-handed while accepting the Rs 2 lakh bribe from the complainant. He allegedly claimed that the money was intended for Gharat. Following this, the ACB team swiftly moved to the Cidco registration office in Nerul and arrested Shailesh Gharat.
As part of the investigation, authorities seized the mobile phones of both accused to examine technical evidence. Additionally, a house search of Gharat is currently underway to gather further proof.
Legal Proceedings and Charges
An FIR has been registered at the Nerul police station against Shailesh Gharat and Nagendra Pandey under relevant sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act. Both individuals have been remanded to police custody for two days, allowing investigators to delve deeper into the case.
This incident highlights ongoing concerns about corruption in government offices, particularly in processes related to property documentation. The ACB's proactive stance in laying traps and making arrests serves as a warning to officials engaged in malpractices.
The arrest of a Cidco officer, a key entity in urban development in Navi Mumbai, underscores the need for stringent oversight and transparency in administrative functions. As the investigation progresses, more details may emerge regarding the extent of this bribery network and any potential accomplices.
