Gujarat Anti-Corruption Bureau Arrests CPWD Engineer Over Rs 4.52 Lakh Bribe
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Jamnagar, April 2 (NationPress) A Class-II official from the Central Public Works Department (CPWD) was apprehended by the Gujarat Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) on Thursday for reportedly accepting a bribe of Rs 4.52 lakh in Jamnagar.
The individual, Vijaykumar Meena, held the position of Assistant Engineer in the Electrical Branch of the CPWD.
As per ACB representatives, the operation was initiated after a complaint from an individual whose acquaintance was solicited to pay a bribe for the clearance of overdue bills associated with electrical services.
The projects in question included electrical setups at a pharmaceutical research facility being constructed near Lakhabavad village in Jamnagar district, a collaborative effort between Gujarat Ayurved University and the World Health Organization, as well as at the BSF Marine Training Centre in Mojap village, located in Dwarka taluka of Devbhumi Dwarka district.
Officials disclosed that the accused had requested Rs 4.52 lakh to expedite the processing of these bills.
Since the complainant’s acquaintance was reluctant to comply, the ACB orchestrated a sting operation at the accused's office within the Gujarat Ayurved University campus.
During the setup, Meena allegedly conversed with the complainant, reiterated his demands, and accepted the entire bribe amount.
The full sum was retrieved, and investigators noted that Meena also acknowledged receiving the bribe during a phone call with the complainant's acquaintance prior to his arrest.
“The accused was caught in the act while demanding and accepting the bribe, which has been completely recovered,” stated an official announcement.
The operation was spearheaded by the ACB team from Rajkot, in collaboration with another team in Jamnagar. Ongoing investigations are in progress.
In recent months, the ACB has executed similar operations throughout the state.
Notably, in December of the previous year, two CID Crime personnel, including an inspector, were ensnared while allegedly accepting a Rs 30 lakh bribe to influence an investigation.
In another incident in November, a junior engineer from Uttar Gujarat Vij Company Limited (UGVCL) was caught receiving Rs 50,000 for facilitating an electricity connection.