Pune: A Circle Officer and a private individual were arrested by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) for accepting a bribe of ₹10,000 to manipulate a mutation rejection request.

The officer, Shridhar Bhagchand Aachari, and his accomplice, Nishant Tukaram Lohakare, were caught during a sting operation in Ghodegaon.

The case began when the complainant submitted an application on March 7, 2024, at the Giravali Talathi office, objecting to the approval of a mutation and requesting it to be rejected.

The hearing of the application was presided over by Mandal Officer Aachari. During their interaction, Aachari directed the complainant to contact private individual Nishant Lohakare. When the complainant met Lohakare, he was instructed to pay whatever amount Aachari demanded to ensure the mutation rejection.

Upon meeting Aachari again, the complainant was asked for a bribe of ₹10,000. Not willing to give in to corruption, the complainant approached the Anti-Corruption Bureau. During their verification process, Aachari indicated that he would settle for ₹5,000.

The ACB quickly organized a sting operation at the Mandal Officer's office in Ghodegaon. Aachari was caught in the act, accepting the reduced bribe of ₹5,000 from the complainant. Lohakare, who had encouraged the payment, was also arrested for his involvement in facilitating the bribe.

The arrest was made under the guidance of ACB Police Superintendent Shirish Sardeshpande and Additional Superintendent Dr. Sheetal Janve, with the investigation led by Inspector Rupesh Jadhav.