Panchmahal: The Gujarat Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) on Thursday trapped a contract-based computer operator working at the Ghoghamba Taluka Panchayat office in a bribery case involving Rs 2,000.

The accused has been identified as Soban, son of Siraj Majeed Bagwala, a computer operator working on a contract basis under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY–Gramin) housing scheme at the Ghoghamba Taluka Panchayat office in Panchmahal district.

As per the complaint, a beneficiary from the complainant’s village had been approved for housing under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana during 2024–25. While construction up to the lintel level had been completed and the first instalment of Rs 30,000 had been released, the second instalment was pending approval.

The complainant alleged that after completing the required documentation, including photographs and certification from the village-level official, the accused demanded a bribe of Rs 2,000 for processing and forwarding the application for release of the second instalment. Unwilling to pay the bribe, the complainant approached the ACB.

Based on the complaint, a trap was arranged on Thursday, during which the accused allegedly reiterated his demand and accepted the bribe amount of Rs 2,000, following which he was caught red-handed. The entire amount was recovered from his possession. Further investigation in the case is underway, the ACB said. DeshGujarat