Thane: The Thane unit of the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) caught a 55-year-old Chief Sanitation Officer red-handed while accepting a bribe of ₹20,000 from a complainant in Kalyan on Thursday.
Accused Identified as Chief Sanitation Officer and Sanitation Inspector
The accused has been identified as Vasant Gangaram Degalukar (55), posted in the Solid Waste Management Department of the Kalyan Dombivli Municipal Corporation (KDMC), and Sudarshan Shantaram Jadhav (42), a sanitation Inspector also posted with KDMC.
Bribe Demanded for Reinstating Worker on Medical Grounds
According to ACB officials, the complainant — a sanitation worker attached to KDMC — had not reported to work due to poor health. Degalukar allegedly demanded ₹30,000 from him to reinstate of his work. Unable to pay the bribe, the complainant approached the Thane ACB and lodged a complaint on July 18.
Following verification, the ACB confirmed that Degalukar had indeed demanded a bribe. During further inquiries, it was also revealed that Jadhav allegedly instructed the complainant to pay ₹25,000 initially, with the remaining amount to be paid later.
Trap Laid, Officer Caught Red-Handed Accepting ₹20,000
On July 24, the ACB laid a trap and caught Degalukar red-handed while accepting ₹20,000. Later, Jadhav was apprehended by ACB officials. An FIR has been registered under the relevant sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act at the Mahatma Phule Police station.
