Kolhapur zilla parishad employee held for accepting new notes in bribe

A case of corruption, involving the newly-introduced notes of Rs2,000, has been registered in Kolhapur in Maharashtra.

Kolhapur zilla parishad employee Chandrakant Eaknath Savardekar, 45, was arrested Saturday evening by the anti-corruption bureau for accepting a bribe of Rs35,000. The cash comprised 17 new notes of Rs2,000 and ten notes of Rs100, police said..

Savardekar had specifically asked the complainant to organise newly-introduced notes, the day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the decision to demonetise existing banknotes of Rs500 and Rs1,000.

The anti-corruption bureau has videographed the entire episode to provide strong evidence. Video recording also shows Rs 2000 notes. Savardekar was arrested at famous Dasra Chowk.

Manohar Jadhav, a teacher, had approached Savardekar in connection with his promotion as principal of the school. Savardekar, senior assistant in education department of Kolhapur zilla parishad, promised Jadhav to submit proposal and get it signed by the education officer.

He, however, asked for Rs 40000 for the work. Meeting between two took place on November 7 and amount was settled on Rs 35000.

Savardekar contacted Jadhav day after Modi’s announcement and sought newly introduced notes.

Jadhav took some time to organize cash as notes were not easily available. Jadhav approached anti corruption bureau and Savardekar was caught red handed this evening, raising serious question about impact of government move to curb corruption.