Guwahati, Mar 22: In continuation with the string of arrests of corrupt government officials in Assam, the directorate of vigilance and anti-corruption on Friday arrested a sub-officer in-charge of Dholai fire and emergency service station in Cachar district in a bribery case.
“A complaint was received the vigilance directorate, alleging that Basanta Sinha, sub-officer in-charge of Dholai fire and emergency service station, had demanded Rs 25,000 as bribe from the complainant in connection with the issuance of a no-objection certificate (NOC) related to fire safety,” the superintendent of police, directorate of vigilance and anti-corruption, Assam stated.
However, the complainant refused to pay the bribe and instead approached the directorate for taking necessary legal action against the public servant.
“Accordingly, a trap was laid by a team from the directorate following which Sinha was caught red handed at the residence of one of his colleagues near Nagatilla fire and emergency service station, Silchar immediately after he accepted Rs 8,000 as part of the demanded bribe from the complainant,” the SP informed.
The bribe money was recovered from his possession and seized accordingly, in the presence of independent witnesses.
“In this connection, a case has been registered at anti-corruption bureau (ACB) police station on Friday, vide ACB P.S. case number 30/2024, under Section 7(a) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988. Thereafter, after finding sufficient evidence against the accused sub-officer, the team arrested him in connection with the case. Necessary legal follow-up action is underway,” the SP said.
Notably, as many as 27 arrests have been made so far by the vigilance directorate in trap cases in Assam in less than three months this year.
