Four arrested in Pune for accepting a bribe of Rs. 1 Lakh

Priti Pathak

THE Pune unit of Anti- Corruption Bureau (ACB), arrested four accused namely; Vikas Pandurang Patil (37), board officer, Karla, Maval, Pune – division 3, Ganesh Bhimji Tikone (58), former Corporator, resident of Raoji Sajpal Chawl, T. J. road, Seewri, Mumbai along with their close aides Anil Babban Tavre (46), Oswal park, Pokhran road no. 2, Thane (West) and Sandeep Rajaram Tikone (32), Paatna, Maval, Pune for allegedly demanding and accepting a bribe of Rs. 1 Lakh.

The press note issued by the ACB, Pune stated that the complainant owns a bungalow at Malvali, Maval, Pune in a Co-operative Housing Society. Ganesh Tikone, an accused filed a complaint at Mumbai Lokayukt and Sandeep Tikone another accused filed a complaint with the Tehsildar, Maval stating that the under construction of the complainant was started by shutting a river bed. The accused Vikas Patil worked as a mediator between the Complainant and accused demanding Rs. 2 crores for Ganesh Tikone, Rs. 25 Lakhs for Sandeep Tikone and Rs. 25,000 for himself as a bribe amount for the withdrawal of the complaint.

On April 25, 2014 ACB, Mumbai contacted ACB, Pune via telephone regarding the matter. And on the guidelines of ACB, Mumbai on April 26, 2014 at 6 am the complainant approached the ACB, Pune for help. The complainant met the accused in order to strike a bargain in the bribe amount which resulted fruitfully. Vikas Patil said to reduce the amount from Rs. 2 Crores to Rs. 1.15 Crores for Ganesh Tikone and Anil Tavre; from Rs. 25 Lakhs to 18 Lakhs for Sandip Tikone. The first installment of the bribe amount was set for Rs. 1 Lakh out of which Rs. 50,000 would go in the share of Ganesh Tikone, Rs. 25,000 would go to Anil Tikone and Rs. 25,000 for Vikas Patil himself.

On April 26, 2014 the ACB, Pune set a trap at Hotel Centre Point, 1st floor., Lonavala, Maval, Pune and arrested Vikas Patil accepting a bribe of Rs. 1 Lakh from the complainant on behalf of the four accused. The investigation in the matter is still in process.

The ACB Pune has urged the citizens to approach the ACB if any government official or public servant demands a bribe. The ACB, Pune can be contacted on, 020- 26122134020- 26122134/ 26131802 and also on the toll free no.: 9420901900.