MUMBAI: Demanding and accepting bribe on instalment basis is a new trend among high-ranking revenue and police officials.
But, in two recent instances, they landed in the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) net while accepting the first instalment. On Tuesday, an ACB team led by superintendent of police Rahul Khode arrested sub-divisional officer Manisha Rashinkar, who is of the rank of deputy collector, and her assistant Vilas Jankar, under the Prevention of Corruption Act for demanding Rs1.1 lakh from the complainant.
According to an ACB official, Rashinkar and Jankar demanded the bribe to allow the complainant to transport sand in Osmanabad district. Following negotiations, it was agreed that the complainant would pay Rs90,000 per month, and as a first instalment Jankar accepted Rs20,000. “We have arrested both Rashinkar and Jankar under the Prevention of Corruption Act. Initially, we secured police custody of both the accused,” the ACB official said.
In the second case, deputy superintendent, Rajendra Pal, demanded Rs2 crore from a person whose friend had died in a hit-and-run case. It was found that a few days after the death, the complainant spoke to the wife of the deceased. Pal threatened to implicate him in the case unless he paid Rs2 crore. The amount was finally settled at Rs1.5 crore. Pal’s assistant was caught when he went to accept the first instalment of Rs10 lakh. Both Pal and his aide have been booked under the Prevention of Corruption Act.
In the recent past, it has been found that initially a huge amount is demanded. After negotiations, the amount is brought down and accepted in tranches. In most cases, the amount is not directly accepted by senior officials, but by their assistants, so that the underling ends up facing the music. “The ACB will have to build a strong case in each instance and ensure each and every case results in conviction,” a senior IPS official said.
