Bhavnagar: The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) today carried out a trap operation in Bhavnagar, catching two individuals, including a Class-II government official, for allegedly accepting a bribe of ₹2 lakh.

The accused have been identified as Maheshkumar Amrutbhai Patel, Deputy Regional Fire Officer (Class-II) with the State Fire Prevention Services, Bhavnagar Region, and Prakash Girishbhai Chauhan, a private individual residing in Anandnagar near Vimana Hospital in Bhavnagar.

According to the ACB, the complainant had secured a subcontract to install fire safety equipment in around 79 government school buildings across various talukas of Bhavnagar district. After completing the installation work, the complainant applied online for fire safety plan approvals and fire safety certificates from the Deputy Regional Fire Officer.

ACB Gujarat Nabs Deputy Regional Fire Officer, Aide in ₹2 Lakh Bribery Casehttps://t.co/eEAImL9qI4 pic.twitter.com/FDk3uNDwC8

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It is alleged that Maheshkumar Patel demanded a bribe of ₹5 lakh for processing and approving the applications. Of this amount, ₹50,000 had already been accepted earlier through co-accused Prakash Chauhan. The remaining ₹4.5 lakh was to be paid through Chauhan.

However, as the complainant was unwilling to pay the bribe, he approached the ACB. Acting on the complaint, the ACB laid a trap today, during which Prakash Chauhan accepted ₹2 lakh from the complainant on a public road in Bhavnagar and was caught red-handed with the bribe amount.

Subsequently, Maheshkumar Patel was found present at his office and was also apprehended. The ACB stated that both accused acted in collusion, with Patel allegedly misusing his position as a public servant and engaging in corrupt practices. Further investigation is underway. DeshGujarat