In a significant anti-corruption move, the Rajasthan Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) apprehended a Public Works Department (PWD) Executive Engineer and two contractors in Bhilwara while reportedly exchanging a bribe of Rs 4,04,000. The Executive Engineer, Shahzad Mohammad, stationed at PWD in Shahpura, was caught alongside contractors Moduram Dhakad and Banwarilal during a trap set by the ACB’s Bhilwara-I unit.
The arrests occurred at the Collectorate premises during the bribe transaction. Allegedly, the bribe was taken from contractors in return for expediting payments and approvals for departmental projects. The sum was not only meant for the Executive Engineer but also for another senior official, as per ACB officials.
Following specific intelligence inputs on corrupt activities within the PWD, Director General of Police (ACB) Govind Gupta stated that the ACB initiated the operation. Surveillance on the suspects confirmed the alleged misconduct, leading to a trap operation supervised by DIG Narayan Togas of ACB Ajmer Range.
During the raid, officials seized Rs 4,04,000 in cash from the accused officer. A case under the Prevention of Corruption Act has been filed, and further investigations are underway. Searches at the suspects’ properties are ongoing to uncover more evidence and assets, with questioning of the accused in progress for subsequent legal actions.
The operation, overseen by senior ACB officers like Additional Director General Smita Srivastava and Inspector General S. Parimala, highlights the ACB’s continuous efforts to combat corruption in Rajasthan’s government departments.
