In a significant development, the Hazaribagh Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB) apprehended a government official, Mithali Sharma, for accepting a bribe. Sharma, who was posted as an assistant registrar of the cooperative department in Koderma, Jharkhand, eight months ago, was arrested following a sting operation.
The video and photographs of Sharma accepting the bribe have gone viral on social media, leading to public outrage and condemnation. The ACB team swiftly took her into custody on July 7, and she was subsequently transported to Hazaribagh for further legal proceedings.
According to an ACB officer, Sharma had conducted a surprise inspection at the Koderma Vyapar Sahyog Samiti, where she discovered irregularities. Taking advantage of her position, she demanded a bribe of Rs 20,000 from the committee members, promising to refrain from taking action against them. The incident came to light when a member of the organization, Rameshwar Prasad Yadav, filed a complaint with the ACB Director-General, highlighting the extortion attempt.
Prompted by the complaint, the ACB initiated an investigation into the matter and gathered evidence confirming Sharma’s involvement in the bribery case. Subsequently, a formal case was registered, and a trap was set up to catch her red-handed.
On July 7, the surveillance team successfully apprehended Sharma while she was accepting the first installment of the demanded bribe, amounting to Rs 10,000.
The arrest of Mithali Sharma serves as a stern reminder of the government’s commitment to combating corruption and ensuring transparency in public service. The investigation into the incident is ongoing, and appropriate legal action will be taken in accordance with the law.
Sources By Agencies
