Deputy Collector Arrested in Land Bribe Scandal

A Deputy Collector from Palghar district has been arrested for allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs 50,000 to approve a land purchase for a tribal individual. The complainant reported the bribe solicitation to the Anti-Corruption Bureau, resulting in a sting operation that led to the Deputy Collector's arrest.

A Deputy Collector in the Palghar district was apprehended by the Anti-Corruption Bureau for allegedly accepting a Rs 50,000 bribe to authorize a land transaction for a tribal individual, an official reported on Wednesday.

On August 1, a member of the tribal community visited the district collector's office seeking approval to purchase land from another tribal person. During this visit, a clerk solicited a bribe on behalf of Deputy Collector Sanjeev Jadhavar, the official said.

The complainant immediately approached the Anti-Corruption Bureau. After verification, the clerk told the complainant to await office transfers. Later, on August 8, the complainant was instructed to meet Jadhavar, who accepted the bribe on August 13 in front of witnesses.

Jadhavar has been booked under the Prevention of Corruption Act and is in police custody until August 17.

(With inputs from agencies.)