ACB arrests Civic Body Officer for accepting Rs 30,000 to let café operate illegally
ACB arrests Civic Body Officer for accepting
Rs 30,000 to let café operate illegally
The Civic Body’s Health inspector was caught red-handed following his cash demand from a café owner running without licence on banned industrial land,
ACB sting exposes corruption racket-
The “Bean Box Café” was functioning sans licences on the first floor of Backyard Snooker, located within Charkop Industrial Estate, Kandivli West.
The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) arrested Civic Body’s Health officer in Kandivli for accepting a Rs 30,000 from a cafe owner to carry on his business illegally. Acting on a
tip-off from the cafe owner, the ACB laid a trap and caught the officer red-handed amidst a meeting where the bribe was being collected in exchange for permission to operate without a license.
The complainant, Ravi Lakhani, 37, runs “The Bean Box Cafe” inside Backyard Snooker, located on land designated for industrial use under the Kandivli Co-operative Industrial Estate.
Lakhani admitted to police that he had been operating without a formal rental agreement, a health license, or Eating House permission.
After mid-day’s reports, the state government issued directives to the collector to reclaim the illegally used land for commercial activity.
Reportedly, a total of 116 acres and 20 gunthas of industrial land in the estate have been earmarked for industrial use only.
The BMC also initiated action against several violators. As per Police Lakhani had been operating the cafe for about a year, paying R28,000 per month to the land occupier.
According to a police officer on June 24, two officials from the BMC’s R South Ward Health Department, including Health Inspector Ganesh Sambhaji Kadam, visited the cafe and asked for licenses to operate. When Lakhani admitted he had none, they asked him to shut down. They told him to report to the ward office.
Reji Abraham, President, United Association for Social
Educational and Public Welfare Trust Dhanashree went on to say that what’s happening at the Charkop industrial estate isn’t isolated corruption, it’s a deep-rooted nexus between BMC departments, revenue officials, and unit holders illegally commercialising public land meant for industrial use.
Lakhani met Inspector Kadam at the ward office and requested help to continue running the cafe.
Kadam: “If you want to run the cafe for three months, you’ll need to pay R40,000.”
Lakhani: “What is this money for?”
Kadam: “For letting you run the cafe illegally.”
Lakhani: “I don’t have that kind of money right now.”
He left, saying he would “try something.”
Lakhani approached the ACB office in Worli and filed a complaint.
Police Inspectors Nitin Thorat and Santosh Gujar were assigned the case.
They began recording calls and interactions. Kadam called Lakhani and asked him to bring the money.
Lakhani met Kadam again, who now demanded R30,000.
The ACB laid a trap. Lakhani was given R15,000 in R500 notes, coated with Athrosin powder, and placed in a brown envelope.
ACB official told Lakhani to keep his mobile on so they can record everything. Once he accepts the bribe, we’ll raid and arrest him.”
Kadam was called to the Raghuleela Mall, Kandivli West, at 4 pm with the money.”
As Kadam accepted the envelope, ACB officers swooped in and arrested him.
News Edit KV Raman
