APMC chief in Anti-Corruption Bureau net for accepting Rs 13 lakh bribe

NAGPUR: Sleuths of the Anti-Corruption Bureau ( ACB) here caught red-handed a top Agriculture Produce Marketing Committee ( APMC) official and his junior clerk for allegedly demanding and accepting a bribe of Rs 13 lakh.

APMC chief Atul Ganyarapwar (of Chamorshi in Gadchiroli) and his subordinate Rajapure were nabbed yesterday while accepting the money from a contractor, police said today.

Ganyarapwar is also the Agriculture Committee Chief of Zilla Parishad, Gadchiroli. The bribe was demanded for clearing bills of construction work at APMC.

Contractor Subhash Kasangottuwar had recently completed construction and submitted bill for clearance to the marketing committee.

Ganyarapwar, however, sought a handsome bribe from Kasangottuwar for clearing bills besides commission against bills cleared earlier.

Kasangottuwar intially showed his willingness to pay but approached ACB with a complaint.

A team of deputy SP, ACB Nagpur, H R Reddiwar laid a trap at APMC office in Chamorshi under the guidance of ACB SP Vasant Sirbhate, yesterday.

As soon as Ganyarapwar and Rajapure accepted Rs five lakh in cash and a cheque worth Rs eight lakh as bribe amount, they were arrested.

An offence under relevant sections of Prevention of Anti-Corruption Act was registered against Ganyarapwar and Rajapure at Chamorshi police station, police added.