Pune ACB Nabs Government Liquidator and Auditor in Rs 8 Crore Bribe Case; Duo Caught Accepting Rs 30 Lakh Advance
Reported by Mubarak Ansari
Pune, 6th December 2025: In a major crackdown on high-profile corruption, the Pune Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) arrested a government-appointed liquidator and a government panel auditor on Friday evening for demanding a staggering bribe of ₹8 crore. The officials were apprehended red-handed while accepting an initial installment of ₹30 lakh in Shaniwar Peth.
The accused have been identified as Vinod Manikrao Deshmukh (50), a liquidator appointed by the Cooperative Department and resident of Sinhagad Road, and Bhaskar Rajaram Pol (56), an auditor on the government panel and resident of Narhegaon.
The Case Background
According to the ACB, the complainant (61), a businessman, is from Dhankawadi, Pune. His society has been embroiled in a dispute regarding membership status between original members and new members who joined around 2005. Following an inquiry report submitted by a previously appointed administrator regarding these disputes, the Cooperative Department ordered the liquidation of the society.
In 2024, the department appointed the accused, Vinod Deshmukh, as the Liquidator for the society.
The Bribe Demand
The complainant and 32 other new members had applied to receive their share certificates. The second accused, Bhaskar Pol (who had served as an administrator for the society in 2023), allegedly acted as a middleman. When the complainant approached Pol to expedite the issuance of certificates, Pol took him to Deshmukh.
The investigation revealed a massive quid pro quo arrangement:
₹3 Crore: Demanded to issue share certificates to the complainant and 32 other members.
₹5 Crore: Demanded to ensure that during the future auction of the society’s land, the property would be sold to a specific person nominated by the complainant.
The total bribe demanded amounted to ₹8 crore.
The Trap
Unwilling to pay the bribe, the businessman lodged a complaint with the ACB, Pune, on December 5, 2025. Verification by ACB officials confirmed that Bhaskar Pol demanded the bribe on behalf of Deshmukh and that they had negotiated an advance payment of ₹30 lakh to begin the work.
A trap was laid on Friday evening outside the complainant’s office in Shaniwar Peth. At approximately 6:55 PM, Accused No. 1 (Deshmukh) arrived at the spot. Both accused were caught red-handed accepting the marked cash of ₹30 lakh in the presence of witnesses.
A case has been registered at the Vishrambaug Police Station under relevant sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988. The operation was conducted under the guidance of SP Shirish Sardeshpande and Addl SP Dr. Sheetal Janve, with the trap led by Addl SP Nita Misal and PI Pravin Nimbalkar.
The ACB has appealed to citizens to report any demands for bribes by government officials via their toll-free number 1064 or the ACB Maharashtra mobile app
