Jhansi Anti-Corruption Unit Apprehends Lekhpal and Assistant in Bribery Sting
In a decisive action against corruption, the anti-corruption team from Jhansi successfully apprehended a lekhpal and his private assistant on Monday afternoon. The arrest occurred at the official residence of the lekhpal in the Talbehat area of Lalitpur district, where the duo was caught red-handed while accepting a bribe of Rs 5,000 from a local farmer.
Details of the Bribery Case
The accused, identified as Deepesh Kumar Singh, originally hails from village Rura Sirsa in Jalaun district and was serving as a lekhpal in Talbehat tehsil. The victim, Jagannath Sahu of village Bijrotha under Talbehat tehsil, had filed an application with the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) on February 19. He sought a change of land use for his farmland to enable commercial purposes, a request that was subsequently forwarded to Deepesh for his official report.
Deepesh allegedly demanded a bribe of Rs 5,000 from Jagannath to process the application. Following this demand, the farmer approached the anti-corruption department, which promptly initiated an investigation. A specialized team was deployed to set up a trap to catch the culprits in the act.
The Sting Operation Unfolds
On Monday, Jagannath visited Deepesh's residence as part of the planned operation. At the scene, Deepesh's assistant, Satyam Sahu, was also present. Satyam was known to solicit customers on behalf of Deepesh, facilitating the corrupt practices. The anti-corruption officials, led by inspector Jagdish Yadav, monitored the situation closely.
As soon as the chemically-treated money was handed over to Deepesh, who then passed it to Satyam for counting, the team members sprang into action. They caught both individuals red-handed, securing the evidence needed for prosecution.
Legal Actions and Charges
Inspector Jagdish Yadav confirmed that Deepesh Kumar Singh has been booked under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, which pertains to public servants taking bribes. Satyam Sahu faces charges under Section 12 of the same Act, related to abetting corruption. Both accused were taken to the Talbehat police station for formal booking and will be produced before the anti-corruption court in Jhansi for further legal proceedings.
This incident highlights the ongoing efforts by authorities to combat corruption at the grassroots level, particularly in rural areas where such practices can severely impact farmers and other vulnerable citizens. The successful sting operation serves as a warning to other officials engaged in similar illicit activities, reinforcing the commitment to transparency and justice in governance.
