Maharashtra: Kolhapur zilla parishad official takes bribe in Rs 2,000 notes, arrested

A senior assistant of Kolhapur zilla parishad in Maharashtra was arrested on Saturday for allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs 35,000, which contained 17 newly introduced Rs 2,000 currency notes, ACB officials said.

Chandrakant Sawardekar (45) was apprehended by the sleuths of Anti-Corruption Bureau while accepting the bribe from the complainant, who was due for promotion as a principal in a zilla parishad-run school, an ACB official said.

According to the official, Sawardekar had assured help to the complainant by putting a fresh proposal of promotion to the zilla parishad administration. For this, he had demanded a bribe of Rs 40,000 and after negotiation, it was settled at Rs 35,000.

Following a complaint, a trap was laid and Sawardekar was apprehended while taking the bribe, which contained 17 newly introduced Rs 2,000 currency notes, he said, adding a probe is underway.

Earlier this week, the Narendra Modi government had demonetised Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 currency notes and introduced the magenta-coloured Rs 2,000 notes.