Jaipur, July 17 (IANS) The Rajasthan Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has arrested a contractual worker of the Sojat Road Municipal Council in Pali district while allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs 25,000 in the name of municipal officials for issuing a lease of an ancestral plot.

According to the ACB, the trap was laid by the Pali-II Unit following a complaint that Parmanand Sharma, a contractual worker associated with the Sojat Road Municipal Council, was demanding Rs 25,000 on behalf of the Accountant, Junior Engineer (JEN), and Executive Officer (EO) to facilitate the issuance of a lease in the complainant’s family’s name.

Acting under the supervision of Narayan Togas, Deputy Inspector General of Police, ACB Range (Jodhpur), the ACB first verified the complaint.

On July 16, 2026, the trap team led by Additional Superintendent of Police Derawar Singh caught Sharma red-handed while accepting the bribe.

The ACB recovered the Rs 25,000 from the right pocket of the trousers worn by the accused immediately after the transaction.

During the investigation, the ACB found that Parmanand Sharma had retired from the Sojat Road Panchayat and had continued working as a contractual employee in the Municipal Council for nearly six years until December 2025. Since he had crossed the age limit of 65 years, his son Sunil Sharma was reportedly appointed on a contractual basis.

However, investigators alleged that Parmanand Sharma continued performing the duties in his son’s place.

The ACB said it would examine the legality of this arrangement with the municipal authorities.

Further interrogation of the accused is underway under the supervision of Additional Director General of Police Smita Srivastava and Inspector General S. Parimala.

The ACB will register a case under the Prevention of Corruption Act and continue its investigation.

The Anti-Corruption Bureau has urged citizens to report corruption by contacting its 24×7 helpline (1064) or WhatsApp helpline (9413502834), assuring full assistance in ensuring legitimate public work is carried out without bribery.

–IANS

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