BSNL Officer Held Taking Rs 70,000 Bribe

A sub-divisional officer of BSNL in Gandevi taluka of Navsari district was nabbed accepting bribe of Rs 70,000 from a contractor for not lodging complaint against him for substandard work of laying.

Anti-corruption bureau (ACB) officials said that the contractor had accidentally damaged BSNL cables while laying storm water drain line for the Billimora municipality.

According to case details, BSNL class II officer Suresh N Patel, had called up the contractor who was assigned with task of laying up storm water lines, footpath carpeting and other civic works. While doing the work, some of his workers accidentally cut off BSNL lines.

Patel threatened the contractor that if he lodged complaint a hefty fine of Rs 20 lakh will be imposed on him and would be deducted from his final payment. To not lodge a complaint Patel demanded Rs 70,000.

The contractor filed a complaint with ACB, which set up trap. Patel was called at bus stand located on the service road of Dharampur crossroad near Valsad Bus stand to collect the bribe money. When Patel came to collect money he was nabbed by ACB officials.―Times of India