The West Bengal Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) on Thursday arrested a Revenue Inspector posted at the Block Land and Land Reforms Office (BL&LRO) in Purba Bardhaman district, for allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs 4,000 to process an Economically Weaker Section (EWS) certificate.The arrest followed a trap operation conducted by the anti-corruption agency in response to a citizen’s complaint.According to the complaint, the official had allegedly demanded illegal gratification from the applicant in exchange for processing and issuing the EWS certificate.Acting on the allegation, ACB personnel initiated a trap operation to catch the accused while accepting the money. During the operation, the Revenue Inspector was reportedly caught red-handed while receiving the alleged bribe.The action forms part of the agency’s efforts to address corruption in government offices and curb the demand for illegal payments for public services.
The arrest comes around a month after another Revenue Inspector, posted at the Bagdah Block Land and Land Reforms Office in North 24 Parganas district, was arrested for allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs 25,000 from a landowner.In that case, the ACB had launched a trap operation following a complaint that the official had demanded money to clear a pending land conversion request.Investigators used chemically treated currency notes to establish the alleged acceptance of the bribe.Following the operation, a video showed ACB personnel washing the official’s hands as part of the procedure.The Bagdah official was subsequently taken into custody, with the ACB confirming that legal proceedings under the relevant statutory provisions were underway.The latest arrest in Ausgram brings renewed attention to allegations of corruption involving officials responsible for land-related administration and public documentation.Further legal proceedings are expected in the Ausgram case as the investigation progresses. The allegations against the arrested official will be subject to the applicable legal process.- Ends