Pune additional divisional commissioner caught red-handed while accepting bribe

CBI officials said Ramod also holds the position of the Arbitrator for Pune, Satara and Solapur districts for cases of land acquisition under the National Highways Act. The complainant in the case is representing a number of farmers from Satara and Solapur districts for their land acquisition law related cases and grievances.

The farmers, who were represented by the complainant, have been seeking a higher compensation of their lands which are in the process of being acquired for a highway project, officials said.

According to the CBI, Ramod allegedly kept the complainant’s cases pending and when the complainant approached him in this regard recently, he demanded a bribe amount of 10 per cent of the hike in compensation sought by the farmers. Ramod allegedly demanded Rs 10 lakh from the complainant for the increased compensation of around Rs 1.25 crore and finally negotiated the bribe amount at Rs eight lakh.

After initial inquiry into the bribe demand, the CBI laid a trap and caught Ramod red handed while allegedly accepting the bribe amount. Subsequently, searches were conducted at official and residential premises of Ramod at three locations in Pune which led to recovery of the cash and property related documents of 14 immovable assets registered in his own and family members’ names along with investment and bank account details and other incriminating documents.

Officials said Ramod will be produced before a competent court in Pune on Saturday where his CBI custody will be sought.