ACB Gujarat Nabs Sarpanch’s Husband, Deputy Sarpanch in ₹5 Lakh Bribery Case

Surendranagar: The Gujarat Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) on Tuesday caught the husband of a village sarpanch and the deputy sarpanch of Untdi Gram Panchayat in Surendranagar district while allegedly accepting a ₹5 lakh bribe in connection with permitting sand extraction.

The accused have been identified as Sanjaybhai Pratapbhai Kamejaliya (35), husband of the sarpanch of Untdi Gram Panchayat, and Sunilbhai Subhashbhai Katudiya (27), deputy sarpanch of the same gram panchayat.

According to the ACB, the complainant wanted to extract sand from a designated site in Untdi village. Sanjaybhai allegedly demanded a bribe of ₹1,000 per truck to allow the activity. The complainant reportedly suggested contributing ₹100 per truck towards village welfare instead, but the accused allegedly insisted on the illegal payment.

The ACB said the accused later demanded a lump sum bribe of ₹6.30 lakh, which was subsequently reduced to ₹5 lakh after the complainant refused to pay the original amount.

Unwilling to pay the bribe, the complainant approached the Surendranagar ACB and lodged a complaint. After verifying the allegations, the ACB laid a trap on July 21 at the compound of Premvati Restaurant near the Limbdi Highway junction.

During the operation, Sanjaybhai was allegedly caught red-handed while accepting ₹5 lakh from the complainant. Investigators said Sunilbhai subsequently contacted Sanjaybhai over the phone to confirm the transaction and later arrived at the spot, following which he was also apprehended.

The ACB alleged that the deputy sarpanch misused his position as a public servant and assisted in the commission of the offence.

DeshGujarat