Pune: In a significant action by the Pune Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), two individuals, including the husband of a woman Sarpanch, were caught red-handed in a bribery trap.

The two were arrested for allegedly accepting a bribe of ₹16,000 in return for removing the name of a previous landowner from the village land records in Velha taluka.

The husband of the woman Sarpanch, Nathuram Kondiba Doiphode, and the Sarpanch of Givshi Ambegaon, Balasaheb Dhabu Margale, were taken into custody during the operation, which was conducted in the parking lot of Atulya Hotel near Nanded City Gate on Sinhagad Road.

According to the complainant, who had purchased land in Varghad village, the previous owner’s name needed to be removed from the 8-A village record. The complainant approached Suvarna Nathuram Doiphode, the woman Sarpanch, and her husband, who allegedly demanded ₹18,000 to facilitate the removal of the previous owner’s name in the upcoming village panchayat meeting.

After filing a complaint with the Anti-Corruption Bureau, an investigation was carried out, confirming that the bribe was indeed solicited. The ACB set up a trap operation, wherein Nathuram Doiphode was caught accepting a bribe of ₹16,000.

Alongside him, Balasaheb Margale, the Sarpanch of Givshi Ambegaon, who was allegedly encouraging the act, was also arrested. Further investigation is underway for both individuals.

This operation is part of an ongoing crackdown on bribery in the state, with several similar incidents being exposed. In a separate case, the ACB arrested a Talathi in Phursungi for demanding a bribe of ₹5,000 for land record-related work.

The accused, Tushar Maruti Galande, has been charged under the Prevention of Corruption Act and a case has been filed against him at the Hadapsar Police Station.