₹3 Lakh Bribe Case Filed Against Udwara Gram Panchayat Sarpanch, Deputy Sarpanch and Member
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Summarized by AI; it may make mistakes. Check important info
Valsad-Dang ACB has registered a case against three Udwara Gram Panchayat representatives for allegedly demanding and accepting a ₹ 3 lakh bribe to facilitate land-use conversion.
The accused have been identified as Dharmendra alias Rajubhai Dahyabhai Patel, Sarpanch of Udwara Gram Panchayat; Saros Behram Irani, Deputy Sarpanch; and Dharmishtha alias Jigiben, wife of Umeshchandra Patel and Ward No. 4 member.
According to the Anti-Corruption Bureau, the accused allegedly demanded ₹ 3 lakh from the complainant in connection with the conversion of land from agricultural use to residential use through the Udwara Area Development Authority and its town planning process.
₹ 3 Lakh Allegedly Accepted
The ACB said the three accused allegedly acted together and demanded the money in exchange for passing resolutions through the concerned committee and the Gram Panchayat general meeting.
As per the complaint, accused Nos. 1 and 2 allegedly advised accused No. 3 to accept the bribe. The ACB stated that Dharmishtha allegedly accepted ₹ 3 lakh from the complainant.
The agency has alleged that the accused misused their positions and committed criminal misconduct.
Case Registered Under Prevention of Corruption Act
The case was registered at the Valsad-Dang ACB Police Station under provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, as amended in 2018.
The case has been registered on August 20.
The investigation is being conducted by Police Inspector N.B. Solanki of the Navsari ACB. The investigation is under the supervision of R.R. Chowdhary, Assistant Director, ACB Surat Unit.
ACB Appeals to Public
The Anti-Corruption Bureau has appealed to citizens to report demands for illegal gratification by government officers or employees, apart from their lawful remuneration.
Citizens can contact the ACB through its toll-free helpline at 1064 or WhatsApp number 9099911055. The bureau has also provided its office telephone and email channels for reporting such complaints.
