Pune: ACB Recovers Rs 28.5 Lakh Cash from Flat of Legal Metrology Inspector Caught Accepting Bribe
Mubarak Ansari
Pune, 30th January 2024: The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) in Pune conducted a search at the residence of Legal Metrology Inspector Ashok Sripati Gaikwad, who was apprehended accepting a bribe of Rs 10,000 in Ahmednagar district yesterday. The operation resulted in the recovery of a substantial sum of Rs 28.5 lakh in cash.
Gaikwad, currently stationed in Shrirampur, Ahmednagar district, was apprehended by the ACB unit in Ahmednagar for allegedly demanding a bribe of Rs 12,000 for the annual inspection (stamping certificate) of a BPCL petrol pump in Pravaranagar. After negotiation, the amount was settled at Rs 10,000. The ACB team in Ahmednagar laid a trap and caught Gaikwad red-handed on January 29, leading to the registration of an FIR at Loni Police Station.
Following the standard procedure, a search was conducted at Gaikwad’s residence in Swamini Residency, Sihangad Road, Pune. During the search, a total of Rs 28.5 lakh in cash was found and subsequently confiscated.
The search operation was carried out by a team comprising Police Inspector Vidyulata Chavan, ASI Mukund Ayachit, Head Constable Navnath Walke, and Driver Damodar Jadhav.
Superintendent of Police (ACB-Pune range) Amol Tambe urged the public to report any instances of government employees demanding bribes to the ACB. The ACB Helpline Toll-Free Number is 1064, and individuals can reach out to the Anti-Corruption Bureau, Pune, through telephone numbers 020-26122134, 26132802, 26050423. Additionally, the ACB can be contacted via WhatsApp at 7875333333, and emails can be sent to [email protected].
