Pune: A Maha E-Seva Kendra operator and a computer operator in Dighi have been arrested for demanding a bribe to issue an income certificate and a domicile certificate.

In a swift sting operation, the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) apprehended the duo after they accepted a partial payment of the demanded bribe.

The accused, Santosh Baban Walke (48), who runs the Gurudev Datt Maha E-Seva Kendra in Dighi, and Nanda Raju Shivarkar (36), a computer operator at the same center, were caught after a complaint was lodged by a 54-year-old citizen.

The complainant visited the E-Seva Kendra in Dighi seeking to obtain an income certificate and domicile certificate. During the process, Walke and Shivarkar told the complainant that they had influential contacts at the Tehsil office who could expedite the issuance of the certificates. However, they demanded a bribe of ₹5,000 for the service.

The citizen, unwilling to pay the illegal fee, reported the matter to the Anti-Corruption Bureau. Upon receiving the complaint, ACB officials verified the claim and set a trap to catch the culprits in the act.

The sting operation was conducted at the Gurudev Datt Maha E-Seva Kendra. During the operation, Nanda Shivarkar was caught red-handed while accepting ₹2,500 from the complainant. Both Walke and Shivarkar were immediately taken into custody. A case has since been registered against them at Dighi police station.

The ACB operation was conducted under the supervision of Superintendent of Police Shirish Sardeshpande and Additional Superintendent of Police Dr. Sheetal Janve. The investigation is being led by Police Inspector Veernath Mane.