Nashik: Incidents of corruption in Nashik district show no signs of abating. The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has carried out another major operation. Maruti Bhimaji Dongre (age 56; resident of Lakshminagar, near the water tank, Rana Pratap Chowk, Mahale Farm, CIDCO), an Assistant Superintendent at the Nashik Municipal Corporation's CIDCO divisional office, was caught red-handed while accepting a bribe of ₹60,000.
Maruti Dongre works as an Assistant Superintendent in the Property Tax Department of the CIDCO divisional office. The complainant had contacted Dongre regarding the property tax assessment for three units located in the parking area of his building. On July 2, Dongre and his assistant, Pansare, inspected the building and measured the units. However, taking advantage of the situation, Dongre demanded a total bribe of ₹80,000. This amount comprised ₹70,000 for regularising unauthorised construction and assessing the property tax, and ₹10,000 for the building's previous assessment.
The complainant refused to pay the bribe and lodged a complaint with the ACB. Verification of the complaint in the presence of witnesses confirmed that Dongre had demanded ₹80,000 and was willing to accept it. Subsequently, the ACB laid a trap. Dongre was caught red-handed while accepting ₹60,000 from the complainant near the entrance of the CIDCO divisional office.
A case has been registered against Maruti Dongre at the Ambad Police Station under the Prevention of Corruption Act. The exposure of such bribery in a government office has caused a stir in the district. The ACB stated that such operations will continue consistently. Citizens have been urged to immediately lodge a complaint with the ACB if a bribe is demanded.
