Ashoknagar (Madhya Pradesh): Lokayukta caught a lineman accepting a bribe of ₹5,000 in exchange of providing an electricity connection to a flour mill in MP's Gwalior.
According to reports, the victim, identified as Shriram Bairagi, a resident of Kukraretha village in Piprai, Ashoknagar.
He had applied for an electricity connection to operate a flour mill. He required the connection specifically to power the mill's motor, but even after a long time, he did not get the connection.
When he contacted the office, it is alleged that Baburam Patel-- the accused lineman employed by the electricity department, demanded a bribe of ₹10,000 to issue the connection. Distressed by this, Bairagi lodged a complaint with the Lokayukta police in Gwalior.
Upon receiving the complaint, the Lokayukta verified the matter, confirming that a bribe had indeed been demanded. Subsequently, a plan was devised to lay a trap.
On Friday, the Gwalior Lokayukta team arrived in Ashoknagar. As per the plan, the complainant handed over ₹5,000—the first installment of the bribe—to the accused. As soon as he accepted the money, the Lokayukta team caught lineman Baburam Patel red-handed.
The operation was led by an inspector from the Gwalior Lokayukta, with participation from other officers and staff members of the team.
The accused lineman was apprehended immediately upon accepting the ₹5,000 instalment. Following the arrest, the bribe money was seized, and necessary documents and other evidence were collected.
During the process, a test conducted on the accused's hands caused them to turn pink. The sudden action by the Lokayukta left the accused lineman visibly pale with shock.
The accused has been taken into custody, and further legal and procedural formalities are currently underway.
