Two Deputy Tehsildars were today caught while allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs 1 lakh to issue an order of asking people to vacate their shanties for a redevelopment project, said an officer of Maharashtra ACB.
Pravin Patil, 53 and Anil Bhoir, 52, were arrested from their office in suburban Malad after they accepted the bribe.
The revenue officials were posted in Anti-Encroachment and Eviction Department at Deputy Collector's office.
A builder had requested the two officers to pass an order so that slum dwellers, who have been stalling a Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) project, could be vacated.
According to Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), the builder undertook the redevelopment project under Government-sponsored SRA scheme on a slum land in Malad after completing all formalities.
However, some residents in the area opposed the project and challenged it before a competent authority at Collector's office in suburban Bandra.
After hearing all sides, the Collector's office rejected the appeal of the residents and ordered its officers in Malad to pass an order asking the dwellers to vacate their shanties to pave the way for redevelopment, said Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACB) Rajesh Bagalkote.
The matter came before Patil and Bhoir, who sought a bribe of Rs 2.50 lakh to issue the order.
After negotiations, the duo settled for Rs 1.50 lakh, the officer said.
Not ready to shell out the money, the builder approached the ACB. Accordingly, a trap was laid and the duo was caught while accepting the bribe of Rs 1 lakh as a first instalment from the realtor, Bagalkote said.
The accused were booked under relevant sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act.
