BMC officer held for demanding bribe for issuing health certificate

The state ACB officials arrested a 50-year-old health officer attached with the BMC for demanding bribe of Rs 50,000 from a coffee shop owner for issuing a health certificate.

The state Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) officials arrested a 50-year-old health officer attached with the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) for demanding bribe of Rs 50,000 from a coffee shop owner for issuing a health certificate.

HT Image

According to the ACB officials, the complainant, who launched a coffee shop at Versova, had applied for clearances, including the health certificate. He then approached the BMC’s ‘K’ west ward at Andheri.

When the complainant met Kishore Naik, the health officer at the ward office, he demanded Rs 60,000 but later settled for Rs 50,000. The coffee shop owner then approached the ACB and lodged a complaint.

A team of ACB officials laid a trap and caught Naik red-handed. When they searched his Matunga residence, the officials found Rs29.18 lakh in cash. A case under the section of the Prevention of Corruption Act has been registered against Naik and investigations are underway.

Between January 1 and October 31, 2014, the ACB laid 1,019 traps, which are 452 more compared to the same period last year. The total amount seized from traps laid so far is Rs 2.23 crore, while Rs 130.80 crore of unaccounted wealth has been recovered.