In a decisive verdict against corruption, a special court in Satara, Maharashtra, sentenced Swapnil Jadhav, Social Security Officer at the Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC), to one year of rigorous imprisonment and a fine of Rs 50,000 on Tuesday. The ruling came after meticulous examination of evidence and witness testimonies under the Prevention of Corruption Act.
The case originated from a complaint lodged with the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on March 28, 2016. It alleged that Jadhav demanded a bribe of Rs 30,000 from a firm owner to waive a potential Rs 3 lakh penalty for employing over 10 workers without proper ESIC registration. Negotiations brought the demand down to Rs 25,000.
CBI laid a trap the same day, catching Jadhav red-handed while accepting the bribe through a private intermediary from the complainant. Both Jadhav and the intermediary, Abhijit Jadhav, were arrested on the spot. Following a thorough probe, the CBI filed a chargesheet against them on June 28, 2016.
After extensive hearings, the court held Swapnil Jadhav guilty, but acquitted Abhijit Jadhav due to insufficient evidence. This judgment underscores the judiciary’s firm stance on rooting out graft in public offices, serving as a stern warning to errant officials. It highlights the effectiveness of CBI’s anti-corruption drives in protecting honest businesses from extortion.
The sentencing marks a key milestone in the battle against bureaucratic corruption, reinforcing public trust in institutional accountability mechanisms.