PANJIM: Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) on Thursday booked an Junior Engineer of Electricity Department, Vishvesh Bhat, attached with Cortalim station for demanding and accepting a bribe to issue a III-phase electricity connection.
ACB’s action followed after a video sting, which went viral on social media exposing Bhat while accepting a bribe of Rs 2000. Bhat is clearly visible in the video clip demanding Rs 3000 to issue an electricity connection and after bargaining he accepts 20 notes of Rs 100 from the person.
Superintendent of Police (ACB) Bosco George said that Bhat has been booked under relevant sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988. “The accused will be summoned for interrogation shortly and if necessary custodial interrogation will be sought,” he said.
Makbul Jawli, who carried out the sting, has also complained to ACB informing of the series of events in the course of the demand for a bribe.
In his complaint, Jawli stated that he had paid Rs 15,000 to the AE to issue the electricity connection for which he has been told that money is need for two poles, meter and wire.
As per complaint, Bhat had called the complainant even after issuing the electricity connection and house warming. He said he was asked to pay Rs 3000 and so thought of recording the video conversation.
He mentioned in the complaint that he did not know where and how to lodge his complaint and therefore the delay in submitting a formal complaint to ACB. After the clip went viral, one of his friends advised him to approach ACB to lodge his complaint, he mentioned in his complaint.
