BMC engineer booked for taking bribe from hotel owner

According to the anti-corruption bureau (ACB), the complainant carried out repairs in his hotel at Bhandup without the permission of BMC.

A 31-year-old junior engineer with the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) was on Thursday booked for demanding bribe from a hotel owner.

According to the anti-corruption bureau (ACB), the complainant carried out repairs in his hotel at Bhandup without the permission of BMC. (FILE)

According to the anti-corruption bureau (ACB), the complainant carried out repairs in his hotel at Bhandup without the permission of BMC. Rahul Jagannath Lokhande, who worked with S ward (Bhandup), got the structure demolished. “When the complainant went to enquire about how to get permission for repairs, Lokhande demanded a bribe of Rs40,000. After negotiation, he agreed to accept Rs35,000,” said an ACB officer.

The hotel owner then approached the ACB. Lokhande has been booked under section 7 of The Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 for public servant taking gratification other than legal remuneration in respect of an official act. The ACB is investigating if other people were involved.

The ACB has introduced a universal number to register complaints for the entire state — 1064.