Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: Salil Karim Shaikh (Laxminagar, Paithan), who works as an agent in Paithan tehsil office was caught red-handed while accepting a bribe of Rs 1.20 lakh by a team of Anti-Corruption Burea (ACB) on Monday. However, the case was registered on Tuesday morning.
According to details, Salil Shaikh acted like a senior official in the tehsil office. He always travelled in the tehsildar's car and was in possession of all the confidential documents and orders of the tehsil.
After being caught in the trap on Monday, evidence of his close relations with other officials and employees of the tehsil office and possessing government documents came to light. He demanded a bribe of Rs 1.20 lakh in the name of tehsildar Sarang Bhikusing Chavan (Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar) for the release of the seized vehicle of a sand businessman after accepting Rs 50,000.
The businessman lodged a complaint with the Ahilyanagar ACB on February 17. A total of six traps were laid since February 18. Chavan did not take the money until February 24.
In the complainant's village, Salil was caught red-handed on Monday while accepting 220 currency notes of Rs 500 (Rs 1.20 lakh) denomination.
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16-hour interrogation at private lodge
After the action on Monday, Salil was taken to a lodge in Paithan. Chavan was also brought there. Both were in the custody of the ACB at the lodge for 16 hours.
A case was registered at 10 am on Tuesday. The arrest of both was recorded at 2 pm. They were handed over to the Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar ACB. The reason for such a delay in the action is also raising questions about the role of the Ahilyanagar ACB. Deputy Superintendent Sangeeta Patil is conducting further investigation.
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Demand for sand as bribe
Harish Shinde who is an assistant at Chavan's office, is the second accused in this crime. He asked the complainant to deliver two trucks of sand to his house as a bribe along with Rs 30,000. Shinde fled after learning that the two were trapped.
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Letter on WhatsApp
During the examination of Salil's WhatsApp, it was revealed that he exchanged official correspondence with Chavan. Also, important tehsil documents were found in his private vehicle was revealed. He even went to the officers' house late at night and got signatures on confidential files.