Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), on Tuesday, arrested a technician cum ‘Babu’ posted in Mantralaya in Mumbai while accepting a bribe of Rs 25 lakh from officiating Nagpur city RTO Ravindra Bhuyar to stop ongoing inquiry against him. The ACB arrested Dilip Wamanrao Khode (50), a MIDC technician (Class-III) and currently posted in Mantralaya, Mumbai. Co-accused Shekhar Bhoyar, a resident of Amravati, is absconding.

According to ACB, Khode worked as Officer on Special Duty (OSDs) in various ministers in the past. As a result, he was having good contacts in the political circles. Bhoyar, a friend of Khode, had contested the Graduate constituency election from Amravati a few years back. RTO Bhuyar is facing inquiry after two women lodged a complaint of harassment against him. One of the women lodged a complaint with Congress MLC Wajahat Mirza too, ACB said. Khode approached RTO Bhuyar and threatened him with expediting action against him on the basis of the complaints.

He also warned that MLC Mirza would raise the issue of women’s complaints in the Legislative Council during ‘Question Hour’. Khode used to give reference to his contacts in the political circle to save him from the action.

The accused persons demanded a bribe of Rs one crore (Rs 50 lakh for each complaint) to Bhuyar. The deal was fixed at Rs 25 lakh. Meanwhile, RTO Bhuyar approached ACB Nagpur and lodged a complaint.

The ACB officials verified the demand and laid the trap. As Khode was aware of the functioning of ACB, he changed the meeting spot three times in the Civil Lines area. Finally, he accepted the bribe near Ravi Bhavan and was arrested by ACB red-handed in the evening. A case under provisions of Prevention of Corruption Act was registered against the accused persons. Under the guidance of SP (ACB) Rahul Maknikar, DySP Madhukar Gite, the arrest was made by Police Inspector Sachin Matte and staff.