Assam Official Nabbed in 50th Bribery Trap of the Year

An official from the Assam Irrigation Department was caught accepting a bribe in Nalbari, marking the 50th bribery case by the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption this year. The executive engineer demanded Rs 1.20 lakh, which was reduced to Rs 1 lakh before being apprehended. An investigation is underway.

An Assam government official was apprehended in Nalbari on Monday on charges of demanding a bribe, according to an official statement.

This arrest marks the 50th trap case by the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption this year. The directorate received a complaint against the executive engineer of Dharmapur Barkhetri, Nalbari division of the Irrigation Department, who allegedly demanded Rs 1.20 lakh to process contract-related works.

The bribe amount was negotiated down to Rs 1 lakh, and the official was caught red-handed while accepting the money at his rented house in Milanpur area of Nalbari from the complainant. The tainted money was recovered, and an investigation has begun based on a registered case.

The directorate highlighted in a post on X that this was the 50th trap laid this year, resulting in the arrest of 61 individuals, including 57 public servants. The relentless drive against corruption will continue under the guidance of Assam's Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.

(With inputs from agencies.)