Maharashtra govt official insists on bribe in Rs 100 notes, arrested

Mumbai: A government official in Maharashtra’s Solapur district has been arrested allegedly after he demanded bribes and insisted he be paid only in the Rs 100 denomination and not in the demonetised Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes.

Anti-corruption bureau officials caught the accused, an agricultural officer with the Mohol Panchayat Samiti, yesterday while he was accepting Rs 2,500 from a person who had approached him for some official work, police said.

The officer, Balasaheb Bhikaji Babar, was approached by the complainant Dattatray Bedge for clearing his Krishi Seva Kendra proposal, police said.

The officer insisted the complainant bring 25 notes of Rs 100 as the government has demonetised Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes, a police official told PTI.

A case has been filed under sections 7, 13 (1) and 13 (2) of the anti-corruption Act at the Mohol police station in Solapur district, police said.

Earlier on Thursday, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal claimed that the demonetisation move made by PM Modi would increase corruption since Rs 2,000 notes would make it easier for corrupt officials to take bribe.

“Common men are the only ones suffering. I spoke to many people, they told me that black money holders have done settings already. Money will be delivered to their homes in lieu of 15 to 20 per cent commission,” Kejriwal had said.