Pune ACB Arrests Two For ₹5.5 Lakh Bribe On Behalf Of Police Constable

Aba Sawala Walkunde, 48, and Mahadev Pandhari Mane, 39, were arrested by the Pune unit of the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) for allegedly accepting a ₹5.5 lakh bribe on behalf of a police constable in Malshiras, Solapur district.

The trap was laid on August 28 after the ACB verified multiple bribery demands linked to a case registered at Akluj Police Station. The two suspects were caught accepting the money under a bridge on the Malshiras-Piliv Road near Jankar Plot in Malshiras.

According to the ACB, the complainant is a 37-year-old licence consultant who approached the ACB on August 21 and alleged that Police Constable Anil Mahadev Shinde had demanded ₹25 lakh for himself and Deputy Superintendent of Police Santosh Walke. The money was allegedly demanded to prevent a case from being registered against the complainant’s brother and others at Akluj Police Station.

The complainant refused to pay the amount, and a case was registered against his brother and others at Akluj Police Station. The ACB said Shinde later contacted the complainant through Walkunde’s mobile phone, allegedly telling him that the case would not have been registered if the earlier ₹25 lakh had been paid.

Shinde allegedly demanded ₹25 lakh for investigating officer DySP Walke to help secure anticipatory bail and avoid the invocation of provisions of the PCPNDT Act. He then allegedly demanded another ₹5 lakh for himself after the work was completed. The ACB said Shinde had already accepted ₹10 lakh in connection with two other suspects in the case and later demanded the remaining ₹15 lakh.

During a verification operation on August 24, Walkunde allegedly demanded ₹25 lakh in the presence of two independent witnesses on behalf of Shinde and DySP Walke. The ACB then conducted another verification on August 27, during which Walkunde and Mane allegedly told the complainant that ₹5 lakh had to be paid for DySP Walke and ₹50,000 for Police Constable Rahul Maruti Wagh. The total demand was ₹5.5 lakh.

The money was allegedly demanded to ensure that the complainant’s parents were not arrested and were instead served a notice under Section 35(3) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS). The ACB said Wagh, who is posted at Malshiras Police Station, had abetted the demand.

The ACB laid a trap on August 28, and at around 2.30 pm, Walkunde and Mane allegedly accepted ₹5.5 lakh. The two arrested suspects have been identified as Aba Sawala Walkunde, 48, a private driver from Malshiras, and Mahadev Pandhari Mane, 39, of Motewadi in Malshiras.

The arrest of the two private persons is a significant development in the case, highlighting the efforts of the ACB to curb corruption in the state. The case is a reminder of the need for vigilance and the importance of reporting corruption to the authorities.

The ACB's actions in this case demonstrate their commitment to rooting out corruption and ensuring that those involved are held accountable. The arrest of Walkunde and Mane serves as a warning to others who may be involved in similar activities, and it is a step towards creating a more transparent and accountable system.

In conclusion, the arrest of the two private persons by the Pune ACB is a significant development in the fight against corruption. It highlights the importance of reporting corruption and the need for vigilance in ensuring that those involved are held accountable. The case is a reminder of the efforts being made to curb corruption in the state and the importance of creating a more transparent and accountable system.