Gujarat livestock inspector caught taking ₹22,000 bribe a day after being sacked
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
A Gandhinagar Municipal Corporation livestock inspector was allegedly caught accepting a bribe of ₹22,000 by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) on 30 October — just one day after his services had been terminated for negligence, officials said on Saturday, 31 October. The accused, Jaydeepsinh Rajput, a 22-year-old outsourced employee posted in the corporation's Cattle Nuisance Control Department (CNCD), was apprehended on a road behind a garden in Sector 28, Gandhinagar.
Termination a Day Before the Trap
According to the civic body's official clarification, Rajput was relieved of his duties at around 2 pm on 29 October for alleged negligence and persistent failure to carry out his assigned responsibilities. The corporation stated that Rajput, who was engaged on an outsourcing basis, had not taken effective action on stray cattle complaints for a considerable period.
'His superiors had repeatedly drawn his attention to the shortcomings in his work, but no improvement was observed,' the civic body said. Following directions from higher authorities, his contract was terminated on grounds of dereliction of duty.
How the ACB Trap Was Laid
According to the ACB complaint, Rajput had allegedly demanded money from a cattle-rearing businessman in exchange for not impounding his livestock and refraining from registering a case against him. He reportedly sought ₹40,000 initially, framing it as a Diwali festival instalment. After negotiations, the demand was reportedly brought down to ₹22,000.
Unwilling to pay, the complainant approached the Gandhinagar ACB, which subsequently laid a sting operation. Rajput was allegedly caught red-handed accepting the full amount of ₹22,000, which was recovered by the ACB team on the spot.
A Timeline That Raises Questions
The sequence of events — termination on 29 October followed by an alleged bribery attempt on 30 October — has drawn attention to the oversight mechanisms within the corporation's outsourced workforce. Notably, Rajput was no longer an active employee at the time of the alleged bribe, raising questions about whether the demand had been made while he was still in service.
This comes amid broader scrutiny of outsourced civic employees in Gujarat, where accountability frameworks for contract workers have periodically come under review. The ACB's intervention underscores the bureau's continued focus on corruption in municipal operations across the state.
What Happens Next
Rajput has been taken into custody by the ACB and a formal case has reportedly been registered. The Gandhinagar Municipal Corporation has indicated that its internal action — the termination — was independent of and preceded the ACB operation. Further legal proceedings are expected to follow as the bureau completes its investigation.