Pune: In a recent anti-corruption operation, Kanta Bapurav Kalane, a 57-year-old village officer from Palsi Gram Panchayat in Baramati taluka, was apprehended by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) for accepting a bribe of ₹25,000. This bribe was demanded for clearing the remaining payment of a cement dam project, after Kalane had initially received ₹30,000 from the contractor.
The incident came to light when a 43-year-old contractor, licensed to work in the area, filed a complaint with the ACB. According to the complaint, Kalane had initially requested ₹60,000 (4% of the total bill) to approve the ₹16,46,000 bill for the cement dam project. While submitting the bill, the contractor paid ₹30,000 in cash as per Kalane’s demand. However, Kalane continued to press for the remaining ₹30,000 to clear the remaining ₹1.5 lakh of the total bill.
On June 6, after the complaint was verified, a trap was set by the ACB, where Kalane was caught accepting ₹25,000 from the contractor for the remaining bill. A case has been registered against him under the Prevention of Corruption Act at the Vadgaon Nimbalkar police station.
This action was taken under the supervision of Police Superintendent Shirish Sardeshpande and Additional Police Superintendent Dr. Sheetal Janve. Police Inspector Amol Bhosale is conducting further investigations into the matter.
