Thane: The class-3 employees in the government service are the key source of corruption, says data of the Thane unit of the anti-corruption bureau (ACB).As many as 62 out of the total 122 class-3 employees followed by 15 class-2 employees were caught on corruption till October 19, 2023. The ACB official told TOI that the large number of class-3 employees held for graft is the reflection of their seniors.In most of the cases, the arrested accused from this grade of employees act as a mediator on the command of their superior. Their senior officials are the signing authority for granting irregularities or carrying out illegitimate work. The statistics also state that in the same period last year only 68 cases were laid by the ACB, whereas this year 18 more traps were laid by the ACB.Sunil Lokhande, superintendent of police, Thane ACB, informed that a total of 85 traps were laid, and a total of 122 persons were arrested. Of the total government officials arrested, the maximum were from the police department. According to the numbers, 16 are from the police department, 15 from the revenue department, 11 from zila parishad and nine government officers, said Lokhande.The officer said that the middlemen who are counted in the category of the private person or the one who are accepting bribes on behalf of government officers are also accused. The total number of the private persons arrested is nearly 22, along with the government officers. These middleman or agents usually get a percentage for accepting the bribe, said a police officer. The police further informed that all the cases are under investigation and the exact amount of the disproportionate assets are yet to be ascertained. Four cases of disproportionate assets are presently underway this year, last year three cases were under probe, the ACB official informed TOI. Lokhande urged the citizens to report any type of graft cases on their helpline number 1064 which is operational round the clock.We also published the following articles recentlyHaryana ACB arrests 21 government officials for taking bribery during SeptemberThe anti-Corruption Bureau in Haryana has arrested 21 government officers and officials, as well as 3 private individuals, for accepting bribes during the month of September 2023. The Bureau has initiated investigations into five cases involving gazetted officers, non-gazetted employees, and private individuals. In addition, the Bureau has recommended departmental action against certain officials and recovered a significant amount of money from private individuals. The Bureau has also started an inquiry into officers and employees of the Housing Board Haryana.Rajasthan ACB arrests ED official, accomplice while accepting Rs 15 lakh bribeAn inspector-level officer of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and his friend, a clerk in a local sub registrar office, have been arrested in Rajasthan for allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs 15 lakh. The ED officer, Naval Meena, was the investigative officer in a ponzi scam case worth over Rs 560 crore. The ED has initiated an inquiry against him and he may face dismissal from service if the allegations are proven. The Anti-Corruption Bureau initiated the operation after receiving a complaint.Rajasthan: Anti Corruption Bureau arrests two ED Enforcement Officers for demanding bribeAn Enforcement Officer (EO) of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and his associate have been arrested in Jaipur for allegedly demanding a bribe of Rs 15 lakh. The EO, Naval Kishore Meena, and his associate, Babulal Meena, were caught red-handed by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) while seeking the bribe. The complainant had accused the EO of demanding the bribe in exchange for not arresting him in a chit-fund case. The ACB has registered a case against the two and is currently investigating the matter.

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