Deepali Kalia –
On June 14th the State Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) trapped a Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) law officer, Manjushree Idhate, on the charge of demanding and accepting a bribe of Rs50,000 from a construction businessman.
The businessman had sought a favorable opinion from Idhate in a transfer of development rights (TDR) matter.
The ACB officials informed that Idhate, a class-I officer is due to retire by the end of this month.
“We trapped Idhate red-handed while accepting Rs50,000 from the businessman in the PMC building. The businessman was seeking a favorable opinion from Idhate on TDR file. She demanded the bribe in order to provide a favorable opinion or remark.” Superintendent of Police (ACB Pune), Rajesh Bansode informed.
“The businessman is seeking TDR against the land taken over by the PMC for a road project. Idhate was to give opinion on the title of the land and other legal aspects of the TDR. She had demanded Rs 2 lakh bribe last month and the businessman had paid Rs1.5 lakh to her. She was harassing him for the remaining amount of Rs50, 000 the businessman approached us with a complaint.” Deputy Superintendent of Police (ACB), Shrihari Patil said.
It was added by Deputy Superintendent of Police (ACB), Shrihari Patil that, “The PMC provides TDR to the affected parties on the basis opinion or remarks passed by Idhate.”