01 October,2026 11:03 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
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A case has been registered against two Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) engineers and a private individual for allegedly demanding Rs 3.5 lakh in bribes from a contractor in exchange for processing and clearing bills for civic works, an Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) official said on Wednesday.
The alleged demand relates to civic work undertaken in Govandi under the jurisdiction of the BMC's M-East Ward. According to the ACB, the complainant approached the agency after the accused allegedly sought money for processing and approving bills related to the work.
The ACB official said the Assistant Engineer allegedly demanded Rs 2 lakh from the complainant.
The demand was allegedly made in connection with the processing and approval of bills for work carried out under the M-East Ward. The complainant subsequently approached the ACB with the allegations, following which the agency initiated an inquiry into the matter.
The exact nature of the civic work and the bills involved was not disclosed by the official.
According to the ACB, the Deputy Engineer and a private individual allegedly demanded the remaining Rs 1.5 lakh from the complainant.
The total amount allegedly sought from the complainant was therefore Rs 3.5 lakh. The ACB has registered a case against all three accused in connection with the alleged demand.
The agency is examining the allegations and the circumstances surrounding the alleged bribe demand.
After registering the case, the ACB conducted searches at the residences and office premises of the accused, the official said.
The searches were part of the investigation into the alleged demand for money. The agency is examining material and other evidence gathered during the searches as it continues its probe.
The ACB has not disclosed further details about what was recovered during the searches.
The ACB official clarified that no trap operation was conducted in this case.
A trap operation is typically carried out by the anti-corruption agency when a bribe is allegedly demanded and arrangements are made to catch the accused while accepting the money. In this case, however, the agency registered the case based on the complaint and proceeded with searches.
The investigation remains underway, and the allegations against the two BMC engineers and the private individual will be examined as part of the probe.
(With inputs from PTI)
