The Uttar Pradesh Vigilance Establishment on Monday arrested the executive officer of Shahabad Municipal Council in Hardoi district while allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs 2 lakh from a contractor for clearing long-pending payment bills related to electrical works.
Arrest and Trap Operation
The accused, identified as Krishna Kumar Sonkar, was caught red-handed by a vigilance trap team from the Lucknow Sector on Monday. According to vigilance officials, the action was initiated following a complaint lodged by Sudesh Kumar Gupta, proprietor of Laxmi Electricals, a Hardoi-based firm engaged in electrical supply and installation work.
Complaint Details
Gupta, a resident of Khajanchi Tola in Sadar Bazar area of Hardoi, approached the superintendent of police, Vigilance Establishment, Lucknow Sector, alleging that Sonkar had demanded a bribe in exchange for processing and releasing payments for electrical works executed by his firm for the municipal body. In his complaint, Gupta stated that his firm had been carrying out electrical maintenance, supply and installation work for the Shahabad Municipal Council for several years and that substantial payments for completed works were pending. When he approached the municipal authorities for release of the dues, Sonkar allegedly demanded Rs 2 lakh as illegal gratification.
Allegations and Verification
The complainant further alleged that the officer told him that he had failed to pay commission on previous bills and warned that no pending payment would be released unless the demanded amount was paid. Gupta informed vigilance officials that he did not wish to pay the bribe and sought legal intervention. Acting on the complaint, the Vigilance Establishment conducted a discreet verification of the allegations. During the preliminary inquiry, officials reportedly found evidence supporting the complaint and subsequently planned a trap operation.
Execution of the Trap
On Monday, a specially constituted vigilance team laid a trap and allegedly caught Sonkar red-handed while accepting the Rs 2 lakh bribe from the complainant. The recovery of the tainted money was made in the presence of vigilance officers as part of the operation.
Legal Proceedings and Investigation
Following the arrest, vigilance officials registered a case against the accused at the Uttar Pradesh Vigilance Establishment police station, Lucknow Sector, under relevant provisions of anti-corruption laws. Further legal proceedings, including interrogation and investigation into the matter, are underway. Officials said the probe would also examine whether similar illegal demands had been made from other contractors dealing with the municipal council and whether any larger corruption network existed within the local body.
Anti-Corruption Commitment
The Vigilance Establishment reiterated its commitment to taking strict action against corruption in government offices. It appealed to citizens, contractors and members of the public to report any demand for bribes by government officials through the anti-corruption helpline 9454401866.
