Thane Deputy Civic Commissioner Arrested in Rs 25 Lakh Bribery Case
A Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) deputy commissioner was arrested by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) in connection with a Rs 25 lakh bribery case and remanded to police custody until October 4. The case has been registered under multiple sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act.
The accused, Deputy Municipal Commissioner Shankar Patole, was in charge of the TMC's anti-encroachment department. He was arrested along with Omkar Gaikar, a private individual, during a trap operation at the TMC headquarters on Wednesday. The duo were produced before Additional Sessions Judge VG Mohite on Thursday, and the court granted police custody till October 4 after hearing arguments from the ACB.
Advocate Vishal Bhanushali represented Patole, while advocate Jayesh Tikhe appeared for Gaikar. A third accused, Sushant Surve, is currently absconding, according to officials. The case is registered under multiple sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act, and further investigations are underway.
The arrests came after a probe was launched following a complaint by a real estate developer to the Mumbai ACB. The developer alleged that Patole had demanded Rs 35 lakh as a bribe for removing an encroachment on his premises in the city. The complainant claimed that he had already paid Rs 10 lakh to the official through Surve. However, the suspects' demands increased, and they were asking for more money to settle the matter.
The builder was handing over the remaining Rs 25 lakh to Gaikar in Patole's cabin at the TMC headquarters when the ACB trapped the duo and arrested them. The ACB acted on the complaint and caught the suspects red-handed. The ACB sought the custody of the duo on various grounds, including for carrying out further investigations and locating the third accused.
Interestingly, the arrests took place on the 43rd anniversary of the Thane Municipal Corporation. The TMC plays a crucial role in the city's governance, focusing on urban development, infrastructure, and public services. The incident highlights the ongoing efforts to combat corruption and ensure transparency in municipal operations.
