Bribery Scandal Unfolds at Thane Municipal Corporation

A key accused in the Thane Municipal Corporation bribery case surrendered, leading to his police custody till October 6. The case involves top municipal officials demanding significant bribes from a real estate developer to remove encroachments in Vishnu Nagar. Several arrests have been made by the Anti-Corruption Bureau.

An accused in the Thane Municipal Corporation bribery case has surrendered before the Maharashtra Anti-Corruption Bureau. A local court has remanded him in police custody until October 6, according to an official statement.

Deputy Municipal Commissioner Shankar Patole and private individual Omkar Gaikar were apprehended during a raid conducted by the Anti-Corruption Bureau at the civic headquarters on October 1. Both were arrested following revelations of their involvement in bribery.

The scandal revolves around a builder, Abhijit Kadam, who alleged that Patole wanted a Rs 50 lakh bribe to address an encroachment issue on his Vishnu Nagar property. Kadam had reportedly paid Rs 10 lakh through an intermediary earlier in July. The Anti-Corruption Bureau caught Gaikar accepting an additional Rs 25 lakh at the municipal headquarters.

(With inputs from agencies.)