In yet another blot on the City Industrial and Development Corporation Ltd (CIDCO), a senior stenographer was caught red-handed by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), Thane, while accepting a bribe of Rs 1.5 lakh.

The accused, Narendra Hirey, 57, attached to CIDCO’s telecom-mobile department, was nabbed on Friday from his office in Navi Mumbai while accepting cash from a retired CIDCO staffer. The money was allegedly demanded to fast-track the complainant’s pending dues and help close a departmental inquiry hanging over his head.

According to Sanjay Govilkar, Additional Superintendent of Police, ACB Thane, “Hirey had initially demanded r4.5 lakh, and after some back-and-forth, the amount was settled at r1.5 lakh. The retired employee then approached us, and we laid a trap.” The arrest took place inside CIDCO’s telecom-mobile office, where Hirey was caught with the cash in hand. He has been booked under relevant sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act.