Daijiworld Media Network - Kolhapur

Kolhapur, Jan 20: The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) on Monday arrested a 32-year-old engineer attached to Murugud Nagar Parishad in Kolhapur district for allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs 40,000 from a contractor.

The accused has been identified as Pradip Pandurang Desai, who was serving as an engineer with the town council. According to the complaint, Desai had initially demanded Rs 1.5 lakh from the contractor, assuring him that he would fill the measurement book, a mandatory requirement for clearing official bills.

Following negotiations, the bribe amount was allegedly reduced to Rs 1.4 lakh. The complainant had already paid Rs 50,000 earlier. Acting on the complaint, the ACB laid a trap on Sunday and caught Desai red-handed while accepting Rs 40,000.

After the arrest, an ACB team also conducted a search at the accused’s residence. A case has been registered against Desai at the Murgud police station, and further investigation is underway.