Govt official held for taking Rs 1.25 crore bribe

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) arrested an Assistant Commissioner of Central Excise (ACCE) in Mumbai and another person for allegedly demanding and accepting a bribe of Rs 1.25 crore on Sunday. The Central Government officer had demanded a bribe of Rs 15 crore from the victim, CBI officials said.

The arrested ACCE has been identified as Ashok Nayak, while the other accused has been identified as Dhananjay Shetty.

According to police, the complainant, a city-based hotelier, who had an ongoing enquiry with the Enforcement Directorate (ED) had alleged that in 2016 he had received a notice from the ED office and in April 2017, one person stating to be from the ED office called the complainant and asked him to meet a person referred by him, failing which, he would be arrested.

"Thereafter, the complainant was allegedly asked to meet Nayak at his office at World Trade Centre, Cuffe Parade. It was further alleged that when the complainant met Nayak, the latter demanded a bribe of Rs 15 crore to sort out their matter pending in ED and told them to arrange 25-30 per cent amount of the bribe within a couple of days as first installment, failing which he would be arrested," said a CBI official.

He added, the complainant approached the CBI and a case was registered against Nayak, few other unknown government officials and others under section 120-B of Indian Penal Code for criminal conspiracy and sections of Prevention of Corruption Act.

CBI laid a trap and Nayak was caught red handed while accepting a bribe of Rs 1.25 crore. "During investigation, Nayak informed CBI that he was to deliver this bribe amount to Shetty, who too was later arrested. A thorough search was conducted at Nayak's residence, which revealed incriminating documents. Nayak and Shetty were produced in court and have been remanded to police custody till May 15," said the official.