A constable attached to the MIDC police station has been caught red-handed by Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) officials for allegedly demanding and accepting a bribe from the owner of a lottery shop. The shop, located at Jijamata Road in Andheri east, was closed for 18 months during the lockdown. With the restrictions being lifted gradually, the owner decided to resume business activities. However, a constable, identified as Amit Gosavi, 35, threatened the owner of the shop with harassment if he was not paid bribes as per demand.

"When constable Gosavi came to know that the complainant was about to open his business, he visited the complainant's shop and had demanded a monthly bribe of Rs 5000 to allow the complainant to run his shop smoothly," the ACB claimed in a statement.

The statement by the ACB further adds, "Out of fear, the complainant had paid Rs 3500 to Gosavi on August 25, but the latter kept on demanding for the remaining bribe amount. The complainant who did not wish to pay a further bribe then approached the ACB and got a complaint lodged against Gosavi on Wednesday."

The ACB then enquired the allegations made by the complainant and after it got established that Gosavi had demanded a bribe, a trap was laid and Gosavi was caught red-handed while accepting a remaining bribe amount of Rs 1500 from the complainant. Gosavi has been booked and arrested under section 7 (Public servant taking gratification other than legal remuneration in respect of an official act) of The Prevention of Corruption Act.

Recently, decorated ACP Sujata Patil from Meghwadi Division in Jogeshwari was arrested by the ACB on graft charges.

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