ACB nabs Baramati police constable taking Rs 5 lakh bribe, had sought Rs 7 lakh

A constable posted at Baramati city police station has been arrested red-handed by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) for taking a bribe. The accused constable has been identified as Mahesh Ugale. He is alleged to have demanded a bribe of seven lakh rupees from a woman businesswoman in exchange for not taking action against her gym and Zumba class.

The woman runs a gym and Zumba class. A complaint had been filed against the business, and Mahesh Ugale allegedly demanded a large sum of money in exchange for not acting on it. The ACB's investigation found that he had initially demanded seven lakh rupees.

Instead of negotiating or settling the matter, the woman went straight to the ACB and filed a complaint. The ACB verified the complaint, and after confirming that a bribe had been demanded, officials began planning a trap.

As per the plan, a time was fixed for handing over the bribe amount. The ACB team laid the trap accordingly. As soon as constable Mahesh Ugale accepted five lakh rupees, the team caught him red-handed.

Following the action, a case has been registered against the accused under the Prevention of Corruption Act. Further investigation into the matter is underway. The ACB is also probing whether anyone else was involved in the demand for the bribe or had any role in the case.

The case has generated considerable discussion in Baramati, since the accused is himself an employee of a law enforcement agency. The ACB's action has once again highlighted the department's role against corruption. Citizens have also been urged not to be afraid if any government official or employee demands money for work, and to complain directly to the Anti-Corruption Bureau.

Mahesh Ugale was serving as a constable at Baramati city police station. He is accused of demanding a bribe of seven lakh rupees to avoid taking action against a gym and Zumba class, and was caught red-handed by the ACB team while accepting five lakh rupees of that amount.