Pramod Jumale (56), branch engineer with the construction department, Panchayat Samiti Bhiwandi, was caught red-handed while accepting a bribe.

The complainant had completed works related to the construction of a drainage system under a gram panchayat project. Despite the successful completion of three projects and submission of all necessary bills, the payment was delayed. Jumale allegedly demanded a bribe of Rs 2.5 lakh from the complainant to process the pending bills.

Following a complaint lodged on April 27, the ACB Thane verified the allegations and laid a trap. During the operation conducted on April 28, , officials caught Jumale red-handed while accepting Rs2.10 lakh within the limits of Shantinagar police station in Thane city.

The accused has been taken into custody, and further investigations are underway. 

The ACB has appealed to citizens to come forward with information about corruption in public offices and contact the Thane Range Anti-Corruption Bureau if they have any such complaints.