The Anti-Corruption Bureau arrested a junior engineer of the Haryana Urban Development Authority (HUDA) after he was allegedly caught accepting a bribe of ₹1.5 lakh in Faridabad.
Officials identified the accused as Naresh Kumar, who was nabbed near a petrol pump in Sector 12 during a trap laid by the bureau.
According to officials, the action followed a complaint filed by a local liquor contractor, which revealed a larger pattern of corruption and intimidation.
Contractor’s Allegations Spark Probe
The complainant, Gopal, who jointly owns six liquor shops in the district, approached the ACB with serious allegations. He claimed that Kumar had initially demanded ₹6 lakh to ensure that their shops were not demolished. After negotiations, the alleged demand was reduced to ₹5 lakh.
When the contractors refused to pay, Gopal alleged, two of their shops — one located at Shahpur Jat Chowk and another in Malerna village — were demolished on August 19.
Fearing further losses, Gopal lodged a formal complaint with the ACB, which then moved to verify the allegations and set up a sting operation.
Trap Operation & Arrest
Acting on the complaint, ACB officials devised a trap to catch the accused. Kumar was intercepted near the petrol pump in Sector 12 as he was allegedly receiving a portion of the bribe money, amounting to ₹1.5 lakh.
Officials confirmed that Kumar was caught red-handed with the cash. He was immediately taken into custody, and the money was seized as evidence.
FIR Registered, Probe Underway
Following the arrest, an FIR under the Prevention of Corruption Act was registered against Kumar. The bureau has launched a wider investigation to determine whether other officials were involved in the alleged extortion and to establish if more illegal demolitions were carried out under similar circumstances.
An ACB official stated, “We are investigating all angles, including whether the accused acted alone or in collusion with others. Further action will be taken once the inquiry is complete.”
Case Significance
The arrest highlights ongoing concerns about corruption within land and urban development bodies, where officials often wield significant discretionary power. For local business owners and contractors, the case underscores the risks of harassment and extortion in routine dealings with authorities.
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