Indore: The Lokayukta police caught a middleman red-handed while allegedly accepting a bribe on behalf of a junior supply officer of the food department. Corruption cases have been registered against the officer, Rahul Sharma, and his associate, Ramu Lohia.
Complaint and Investigation
Lokayukta SP Rajesh Sahay said the action followed a complaint by co-director of a gas agency Pramod Dubey. Sharma had allegedly demanded a bribe of Rs 2.5 lakh from Dubey, threatening to frame him for selling commercial gas cylinders above the fixed rates. Following negotiations, the amount was settled at Rs 1.5 lakh, out of which Sharma had already accepted Rs 1 lakh.
Trap Laid
When Sharma pressured Dubey for the remaining balance, the complainant approached the Lokayukta office in Indore. After verification, a trap was laid near Gate Number 2 of the collectorate. Lohia was caught red-handed while accepting Rs 20,000 from the complainant at a tea stall on Sharma’s instructions. Although Sharma later arrived at the scene, he avoided physically taking the envelope inside the office complex; however, investigators documented the interaction as evidence.
Proceedings were underway against both accused under the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
