Bribe sought to prevent demolition of unauthorised construction in Gujarat; two held with Rs 3.15 lakh
Ahmedabad, Aug 20 (IANS) Two persons were allegedly caught accepting Rs 3.15 lakh in bribe in Ahmedabad after the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) laid a trap following a complaint from a citizen that money was being demanded after threatening him with demolition of an unauthorised roof at his property, officials said on Thursday.
The trap was laid on August 19 by the Anand ACB Police Station team, with the complainant alleging that the accused had demanded money to prevent the demolition of new construction on the first floor of his house and shop.
According to the ACB complaint, the complainant had removed a tin roof on the first floor and constructed a permanent one.
Following this, the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation’s Town Development Department, East Zone, issued two notices in the name of the complainant’s mother regarding construction allegedly carried out without permission and sought an explanation as to why it should not be removed.
The ACB alleged that accused Shilpa, wife of Vijay Ahir, subsequently contacted the complainant and threatened that the new construction would be demolished.
She allegedly demanded Rs 3.25 lakh, comprising Rs 3 lakh purportedly for AMC officials and Rs 25,000 for herself, to ensure that the construction was not demolished.
The ACB said Rs 10,000 had already been taken from the complainant, while the remaining Rs 3.15 lakh was to be paid on August 19.
Unwilling to pay the amount, the complainant approached the ACB and lodged a complaint.
A trap was subsequently arranged. According to the agency, Shilpa and Vijay Ahir allegedly accepted Rs 3.15 lakh from the complainant and were caught red handed during the operation.
The entire amount was recovered from the spot.
The alleged bribe transaction took place inside the accused’s car on a public road near Soni Ni Chali Char Rasta in Ahmedabad.
The allegations are based on the ACB complaint and remain subject to investigation and due legal process.
The Gujarat ACB conducts trap operations in response to complaints alleging demands for bribes and investigates offences under the Prevention of Corruption Act.
–IANS
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