06 August,2026 01:23 PM IST | Thane | mid-day online correspondent
Representational Image
The Anti-Corruption Bureau has caught a revenue officer while accepting a bribe of Rs 5,000 for approving a land mutation entry in Maharashtra's Ratnagiri district, the ACB said, reported PTI.
A 48-year-old retired Merchant Navy personnel had purchased 218 square metres of land at Mouje Savarde in the district in the name of his wife. Following instructions from the local talathi regarding the mutation entry, he met a circle officer on August 3 for official approval, reported PTI.
During the meeting, the circle officer allegedly demanded a bribe of Rs 5,000 to clear and approve the official mutation record. Unwilling to pay the bribe, the land buyer approached the ACB Ratnagiri unit.
Following the complaint, the ACB laid a trap and caught the circle officer while taking the bribe amount from the complainant in his office on Wednesday afternoon, an official from the anti-graft agency said.
A case was registered against the accused under the Prevention of Corruption Act.
In a separate incident, the Raigad Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has caught a health assistant working at a Primary Health Center (PHC) in the district red- handed while taking a bribe, police said on Wednesday, reported PTI.
The accused was identified as Ghanshyam Komatwar, posted at the Borli Panchatan PHC, reported PTI.
According to the compaint filed by a 22-year-old local resident, Komatwar accused him of practicing illegally as a doctor and threatened to carry out a raid and take severe action unless he paid Rs 10,000.
On August 3, Komatwar was detained while allegedly accpeting Rs 5,000 near the PHC. He was booked under Section 7 (Public servant taking gratification other than legal remuneration) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988. Further probe was on, reported PTI.
Meanwhile, the Bihar Vigilance Investigation Bureau (VIB) on Wednesday arrested Panchayat Secretary Shankar Prasad red-handed while allegedly accepting a Rs 15,000 bribe in connection with payment under the Nal-Jal (Tap-Water) scheme in Maldahiya Panchayat of Narkatiaganj block in West Champaran district, reported IANS.
According to an official, Prasad had allegedly demanded Rs 28,000 from Parvez Kaushar, a contractor responsible for maintenance work under the Nal-Jal scheme, in exchange for processing and releasing his pending payment.
The contractor reportedly approached the Vigilance Department on July 27 after the payment was allegedly delayed over the demand for a bribe. Following verification of the complaint, the Vigilance team planned a trap operation, reported IANS.
On Wednesday morning, Prasad was allegedly caught accepting the first instalment of Rs 15,000 from the contractor during a Sahyog Shivir held at the Maldahiya Madrasa premises, reported IANS.
After the arrest, the Vigilance team also conducted a search of Prasad's private residence at Hardiya Chowk.
Several documents and records were reportedly seized and are being examined as part of the investigation.
The arrest created a stir among Panchayat representatives and government employees in the area.
(With inputs from PTI and IANS)
