Maharashtra: Shopkeeper selling banned gutkha held for trying to bribe cop in Bhayander

The Maharashtra Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB) arrested a shopkeeper from Bhayander for allegedly offering a bribe to a police officer to save his unauthorised gutkha business, an official said

The Maharashtra Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB) arrested a shopkeeper from Bhayander in Thane district for allegedly offering a bribe to a police officer to save his unauthorised tobacco and gutkha business, an official said on Thursday, reported the PTI.

According to the PTI, the man, identified as Surendra Chourasia (43), offered the police official Rs 5,000 as bribe so that the latter does not take any action against him, ACB Deputy Superintendent of Police Madhavi Rajekumbhar said.

"Chourasia was selling gutkha, which is banned in the state. He was arrested when he offered a bribe to the official during a trap laid by the ACB at his shop. Further probe is underway," he said, as per the PTI.

Meanwhile, a police constable was arrested and an inspector is on the run in connection with a bribery case in Mira Road in Maharashtra, a ACB official said on Thursday, reported the PTI.

According to the PTI, the duo has been identified as Inspector Mahesh Shelar and constable Ganesh Vanve.

The duo had allegedly sought Rs 50 lakh from a person who is being probed by the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) in a cheating case, Sunil Lokhande, Superintendent of Police, ACB (Thane unit) told PTI.

"The duo scaled down their demand to Rs 35 lakh and demanded the amount from him. The man who was asked for a bribe approached ACB and complained about the matter. Vanve was held in a trap on January 18 when he accepted an instalment of Rs 15 lakh. Efforts are on to nab inspector Shelar," the SP said, as per the PTI.

A case was registered under Prevention of Corruption Act at Nayanagar police station and further probe is underway, he added.

In an another incident, two civic staffers were held by the Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB) in Mumbai for allegedly demanding and accepting a bribe from an NGO to clear bills, a Maharashtra ACB official said on Saturday, reported the PTI.

Satish Dagadkhair and Nitin Sable of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation's (BMC) L Ward had sought Rs 12,000 to clear a bill of Rs 84,000 from an RTI activist who runs an NGO, the official said, according to the PTI.

(with PTI inputs)

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