Kutch: The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) of Gujarat conducted a decoy operation in Adipur town of Gandhidham taluka and caught two persons allegedly charging excess money over the official e-stamp value from applicants.

The accused have been identified as Anilbhai Somdutt Nathani, an advocate and e-stamping vendor, and his accomplice, Jainiben Nitinbhai Soni.

According to the ACB, officials had received information that certain stamp vendors in Adipur were charging applicants more than the prescribed amount for issuing e-stamps of different denominations. To verify the allegations, the ACB’s Gandhidham unit kept secret surveillance and organised a decoy operation with the help of a citizen.

During the operation on Wednesday, accused Jainiben Soni allegedly demanded and accepted Rs 330 as illegal gratification over and above the legal e-stamp charges from the decoy applicant and later handed over the amount to accused Anilbhai Nathani. The ACB team then apprehended both accused persons and recovered the entire bribe amount of Rs 330.

The trap operation was carried out by Shri J.B. Chaudhary, Police Inspector, Kutch (East) ACB, Gandhidham, under the supervision of Shri K.H. Gohil, Assistant Director, ACB Border Unit, Bhuj. DeshGujarat