The State Economic Offence Investigation-Anti Corruption Bureau (SEOIACB) has apprehended three government officials for accepting bribes. Milan Bhagat, Deputy Ranger of Gharghoda Range, was arrested for attempting to extort a bribe of Rs 8,000 from Jagmohan Manjhi, an exorcist returning from work in Raigarh. Determined to expose Bhagat’s corruption, Manjhi alerted the Anti-Corruption Bureau, leading to a successful sting operation. Bhagat was caught accepting the remaining Rs 5,000 of the bribe, resulting in his immediate arrest under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act 1988.

 

In another case Santosh Kumar Dewangan, Revenue Inspector of Juna Bilaspur, was arrested after demanding Rs 2.50 lakh from Praveen Kumar Tarun for land demarcation work. Tarun reported Dewangan’s demand to the Anti-Corruption Bureau, which set up a carefully planned operation. Dewangan was caught red-handed accepting the first instalment of Rs 1 lakh, leading to his arrest and legal proceedings under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act 1988.

 

In yet another incident TR Meshram, Executive Engineer of the Water Resources Department in Kondagaon, was apprehended after contractor Tushar Dewangan refused to pay a demanded bribe of Rs 7 lakh. Dewangan reported Meshram’s demand to the Anti-Corruption Bureau, which arranged a trap. Meshram was arrested while accepting the first instalment of Rs 50,000, and now faces legal repercussions under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act 1988.