Patan engineer held taking Rs 10,000 bribe

Palanpur: A deputy engineer of Uttar Gujarat Vij Company Limited (UGVCL) Manubhai Patel was caught red-handed while taking bribe of Rs 10,000 from a factory owner in Patan town on Monday.

The accused Manu Patel had demanded money to approve electricity metre for the complainant’s bolt manufacturing factory.

According to anti-corruption bureau (ACB) inspector at Palanpur K J Patel who conducted the raid on Monday. “The complainant needed electricity metre for factory in Patan. But he had been moving from pillar to post with not relief. Finally a middleman was approached by Rakesh Sathvara who advised him to pay Rs 25,000 to the officer concerned,” said ACB officer. However, the deal was settled for Rs 15,000.

On Monday, the complaint gave Patel Rs 15,000, who retuned Rs 5,000 on request on the complainant. The ACB sleuths also raided the office of Patel on Monday.