Pune: The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has arrested an Executive Engineer, a Deputy Engineer, and a Junior Engineer from the Pune Zilla Parishad’s Construction Department for allegedly accepting a ₹1.42 lakh bribe to approve construction bills. The accused were caught red-handed in a trap set up by the ACB on March 13.
Bribe Demanded for Approval of ₹40 Lakh Road Project
According to the ACB, the complainant, a government contractor, was awarded a ₹40 lakh work order for two road construction projects in Daund Taluka. However, before clearing the bills:
Junior Engineer Anjali Bagade allegedly demanded ₹14,000 to submit her report.
Executive Engineer Baburao Pawar
Deputy Engineer Dattatraya Pathare
each asked for ₹80,000 to approve the payment.
After negotiations, the total bribe amount was settled at ₹1.42 lakh. The contractor then approached the ACB on March 10, leading to a verification process.
Following verification, the ACB team set a trap at the Pune Zilla Parishad office on March 13. All three engineers were caught in the act while accepting the bribe. During the operation, the ACB also seized ₹8.58 lakh in cash from a bag in Executive Engineer Baburao Pawar’s office.
Case Registered, Further Investigation Underway
A case has been registered at the Bund Garden Police Station, and further investigations are underway. The ACB has urged contractors and the public to report any instances of corruption to help curb malpractice in government departments.