In a decisive crackdown on corruption, the Anti-Corruption Bureau’s Palamu unit has arrested Sunil Kumar, an employment sevak from Sildag Panchayat in Chhatarpur block. The official was caught red-handed accepting a bribe of Rs 6,000 from two women beneficiaries under the Didi Bari Yojana.
The incident unfolded when the women approached Sunil Kumar to get their proposals approved through the gram sabha for the state government’s housing scheme aimed at empowering women. Instead of processing their legitimate requests, the sevak demanded a hefty bribe. Refusing to pay, the complainants lodged a detailed written complaint with the ACB Palamu office.
Acting swiftly, ACB officials verified the allegations and set up a trap team. On Friday, they accompanied the victims to Sildag village. As soon as Sunil Kumar accepted the tainted cash, the ACB team swooped in, nabbing him in the act. He was immediately taken to the Medininagar office, where formalities were completed before sending him to judicial custody.
This arrest marks the fourth trap case cracked by ACB Palamu this year, underscoring their relentless pursuit against graft in rural employment services. The Didi Bari Yojana, designed to provide housing to underprivileged women, has unfortunately become a target for such malpractices.
Local authorities have urged beneficiaries to report similar demands promptly. This operation sends a strong message: corruption will not be tolerated, and public servants must serve with integrity. As investigations continue, more details on the sevak’s modus operandi may emerge, potentially leading to further actions against complicit parties.