Navi Mumbai: Panvel tehsil circle officer arrested for Rs 30,000 graft

Navi Mumbai: The Raigad Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) team laid a trap Tuesday and arrested the circle officer of Panvel tehsildar office for allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs 30,000 from a Panvel resident for registering the 7/12 extract document of the land in Panvel taluka belonging to the complainant and his wife. The arrested accused has been identified as Govardhan Mane (49), a class-3 officer, residing in Khopoli.

Raigad ACB deputy SP Sarita Bhosale informed that, on May 16, a Panvel resident lodged a complaint with the Raigad ACB office, Alibaug, alleging that Govardhan Mane, the circle officer at Panvel Tehsildar office, demanded a bribe of Rs 50,000 from him for registering the 7/12 extract document of the land admeasuring 4.22 guntha (approx 426.94 square metres) at Gavdevi pada village, Panvel taluka, belonging to him and his wife. During verification of the complaint on May 18 and 19, it was found that Mane, after negotiation over the demanded bribe, settled for Rs 30,000 wherein Rs 20,000 was for himself and another Rs 10,000 for the employee who receives thumb approval of the land owner for registering the property with the revenue department.

Bhosale said, "Accordingly, on May 19 evening, a trap was laid in the presence of govt witnesses near Mithas sweet shop next to Panchmukhi Hanuman temple, Shiv Shambho naka, Panvel. Around 6.10 pm, Mane was caught red-handed while accepting the demanded bribe of Rs 30,000 from the complainant. An FIR has been registered at Panvel City Police Station against the accused Mane, who has been booked under relevant section of the Prevention of Corruption Act for the alleged offence by a public servant taking gratification other than legal remuneration in respect of an official."