Anti-corruption officials in Jhansi caught a senior Public Works Department clerk red-handed on Tuesday. The clerk accepted a bribe of twenty thousand rupees. He demanded the money to release a retired employee's pension.
Retired Employee's Pension Held Up
Ghanshyam Kushwaha retired as a Grade-4 employee on October 31, 2025. He expected to receive his gratuity and pension promptly. Authorities released part of his gratuity, but the remaining amount stayed pending.
Son Approaches Anti-Corruption Department
Rajendra Kushwaha, the retired employee's son, drives an auto-rickshaw. He met with the concerned clerk, Santosh Niranjan, to discuss the pending pension. Niranjan demanded a bribe of forty thousand rupees to release the funds.
Rajendra did not agree to pay the illegal demand. He decided to report the matter instead. He approached the anti-corruption department and filed a formal complaint.
Trap Laid and Clerk Arrested
Officials planned a trap operation based on the complaint. On Tuesday, Rajendra visited the PWD office with the first installment of the bribe money. He carried twenty thousand rupees as instructed.
Santosh Niranjan accepted the cash from Rajendra. The moment he took the money, the anti-corruption trap team moved in. They arrested Niranjan immediately at the scene.
Legal Action Initiated
Team leader Shyam Singh confirmed the arrest details. He stated that authorities booked Niranjan under section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act. This section deals with public servants taking bribes.
The clerk will face legal proceedings soon. Officials will produce him before the special magistrate in Lucknow on Wednesday. The case highlights ongoing efforts to combat corruption in government departments.
This incident serves as a warning to other officials. It shows that anti-corruption agencies remain vigilant. They take swift action against those who demand bribes from citizens.
