15 February,2011 07:59 AM IST | | Kaumudi Gurjar
65-yr-old asked to cough up Rs 50,000 by PCMC officials for Slum Rehab Scheme flat in spite of having all documents: Son
The alleged greed of officials in the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) drove a senior citizen to suicide. Relatives of the deceased said he was unable to cope with the officials' persistent demands for a bribe.
Dattagir Manjusha Shaikh (65), a resident of Vetalnagar, was eligible to get a flat under the Slum Rehabilitation Scheme. Shaikh's neighbours said he had been living in Vetalnagar since 1995 and had all the required documents.
Shaikh, who made his living selling fruits, was asked to cough up Rs 50,000 by recovery officer Machhindra Kumbhar. Fed up of the constant harassment, Shaikh committed suicide at 10 am yesterday by hanging himself at home.
The Chinchwad police station has registered a case of accidental death.
Shaikh's relatives went to the Assistant Municipal Commissioner's Office and demanded action against the corrupt officers.
Police Sub-Inspector N G Babar, who is investigating the case, said: "Shaikh's son Pasha has alleged in his statement that an official named Machhindra Kumbhar demanded a bribe of Rs 50,000 from his father. We are investigating the case."
After the news of Shaikh's death spread, local politicians visited the area and demanded an inquiry. Shiv Sena MP Gajanan Babar, BJP chief Eknath Pawar, Shiv Sena leader Bhagwan Walehekar, MNS activists Anant Korale and Mayur Chinchwade visited Vetalnagar.
Assistant Municipal Commissioner Ajit Karche has issued a notice to Kumbhar and his subordinate Ravi Kamble.
Karche clearly stated that officers should not demand bribe to allot houses and warned stringent action would be taken against those found guilty.
