Cop held for taking Rs 4 lakh as bribe

The Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB), on Thursday, arrested a senior police officer from the Mira Road police (Thane rural) while accepting a bribe of Rs4 lakh from a private developer for initiating action against illegal encroachment.

The Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB), on Thursday, arrested a senior police officer from the Mira Road police (Thane rural) while accepting a bribe of Rs4 lakh from a private developer for initiating action against illegal encroachment.

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According to the ACB, a corporator and former mayor from the Mira Bhayander Municipal Corporation (MBMC), Narendra Mehta, purchased a plot from a private firm, Seven Eleven.

He had paid the initial amount, and as per the agreement, he was supposed to pay the remaining sum after getting the possession of the land along with clearance from the civic body.

Meanwhile, Mehta noticed that the banner stating that the property belonged to Seven Eleven was removed by Mahesh Boria. Consequently, Mehta, along with the director of Seven Eleven, approached the senior inspector at Navghar police station on August 8. With no favourable response, they approached the deputy superintendent of police, Nagnath Marutirao Samvatwad, the next day. “Despite giving a written complaint, Samvatwad’s response was cold,” Mehta stated in the complaint filed with the ACB.

When approached again, Samvatwad allegedly demanded Rs5 lakh to initiate an action against the encroacher.

Following this, Mehta moved the ACB. Following an inquiry, the ACB concluded that Samvatwad had demanded Rs4 lakh and accordingly filed an FIR.

Acting on ACB’s instructions, Mehta went to Samvatwad’s office on Thursday and paid him the bribe amount. The ACB sleuths caught Samvatwad while accepting the bribe.

According to the ACB sources, an inquiry is being conducted to ascertain the source of Samvatwad’s assets.