Pune: The Pune Zilla Parishad (ZP) administration has suspended Junior Engineer Anjali Bagade, who was caught accepting a bribe along with two senior officials from the construction department. The suspension of Executive Engineer Baburao Pawar and Deputy Engineer Dattatreya Pathare is pending approval from the State Public Works Department.
The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) arrested the three officials red-handed while accepting a bribe to approve contractor bills for completed construction projects. A formal complaint was registered, and the officers were taken into custody following the investigation.
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Pune Zilla Parishad holds the authority to suspend junior engineers, leading to Anjali Bagade’s immediate suspension. However, Executive Engineer Baburao Pawar and Deputy Engineer Dattatreya Pathare’s suspension requires state government approval.
The ZP administration has forwarded a proposal to the Public Works Department for necessary action. According to government service rules, any officer or employee who remains in police custody for more than 24 hours must be suspended.
Since the three officials were in police and judicial custody for over two days, disciplinary action has been initiated against them.
