Mumbai Crime: Anti-Corruption Bureau Arrests Rationing Officer While Accepting ₹1.75 Lakh Bribe From Gas Agency Manager

Mumbai: Mumbai Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB) officials have apprehended a rationing department official for allegedly demanding bribe from a person who runs a gas agency in order to allow him to run his business smoothly. The accused public servant has been identified as Vinayak Nikam, chief inspection officer, rationing department.

According to the ACB, the complainant works as a manager in a gas agency in Kandivali. His relative also has a gas agency in Thane. In October 2024, action was taken against the complainant's gas agency by Vinayak Nikam. In August 2024, action was taken against the gas agency of his relative in Thane by the said department.

Thereafter, on 16/07/2025, Vinayak Nikam contacted the complainant on his mobile and asked him to come and meet him in the office. Accordingly, when the complainant met Nikam on 17/07/2025, he allegedly demanded a bribe of Rs. 1.50 lakh for not taking action against the complainant's gas agency and Rs 1 lakh for not taking action against the gas agency of his relative, totaling Rs 2.50 lakh.

Complainant Refuses to Pay, Approaches ACB

However, since the complainant did not want to bribe the public servant, he approached the ACB and filed a complaint on 25/07/2025. In accordance with the said complaint, it was verified by the ACB and it was learnt that Vinayak Nikam had demanded a bribe of Rs 2.50 lakh from the complainant for his and his relatives' work and after negotiations, it was found that he had agreed to accept a bribe of Rs 1 lakh for not taking action against his gas agency and Rs 75,000 for not taking action against his relatives' gas agency, totaling Rs 1.75 lakh.

ACB Lays Trap, Catches Officer Red-Handed in Mumbai

Accordingly, a trap was conducted on Tuesday and Vinayak Nikam was caught red-handed while allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs 1.75 lakh from the complainant. A case has been registered against him under the provisions of Prevention of Corruption Act, officials said. ACB officials have found cash Rs 10 lakh from bag of accused public servant.