Gujarat govt official convicted of demanding Rs 4,000 bribe

According to P D Vyas, the public prosecutor in the case, the complaint was filed by a man who used to run a taxi service. In November-December 2008, he had provided taxis on rent to Patel’s office. While he received partial payment for his services, an amount of Rs 24,276 remained pending. Before this, the complainant’s bills to the tune of Rs 1.29 lakh and Rs 54,000 were cleared and paid by Patel’s office.

When the complainant followed up with Patel for the remaining dues, Patel allegedly demanded a bribe of Rs 4,000 to clear the payment.

Subsequently, based on the police complaint, a trap was laid. Patel was caught red-handed while accepting the bribe. Subsequently, a criminal offence was registered at the Anti-Corruption Bureau, Gandhinagar in 2009.

The case proceeded under the provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act, which criminalises public servants accepting gratification other than legal remuneration in respect of official acts.

Patel, a mid-level officer in a department that comes under the state’s Water Resources wing, was convicted after the court found sufficient evidence of him having misused his position to demand and accept illegal gratification.