National Institute of Unani Medicine Officer under arrest for Rs 50000 bribery

Written by Sanchari Chattopadhyay Published On 2023-12-02T11:45:00+05:30 | Updated On 2 Dec 2023 11:45 AM IST

National Institute of Unani Medicine Officer under arrest for Rs 50000 bribery

Bengaluru: An administrative officer at the National Institute of Unani Medicine (NIUM) in Bengaluru has been arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on charges of corruption. The official is accused of accepting a bribe of Rs 50,000 to expedite the clearance of pending bills.

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The CBI, acting on a tip-off, initiated an investigation into the alleged corrupt practices of the administrative officer. It is reported that the officer had demanded a bribe of Rs 1.10 lakh from a canteen vendor associated with the institute to clear outstanding bills. The vendor, under pressure, approached the CBI and lodged a complaint, prompting the agency to take swift action.

According to the agency, the complainant company used to supply food to the patients of a Unani hospital, for which bills are paid by the National Institute of Unani Medicine (NIUM), Bengaluru, on a monthly basis on the account of its owner. It was alleged in the complaint that the contract tenure was going to expire within two months and two months’ bills amounting to Rs 3 lakh had been pending with NIUM. In order to clear the amount, the accused allegedly demanded Rs 1.10 lakh bribe from the owner, who had then approached the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), reports PTI.

After verification, the CBI laid a trap and caught the accused red-handed when he was receiving a part payment of Rs 50,000 from the complainant, they said. “CBI laid a trap and caught the accused red-handed while demanding and accepting part amount of bribe of Rs 50,000 from the complainant. Searches were conducted at the premises of the accused which led to the recovery of Rs 2 lakh,” the agency spokesperson said. The accused was produced before a special judge for CBI cases in Bengaluru and was remanded in judicial custody, the spokesperson said.

Laws against corruption vary across countries, but in the context of India, where Bengaluru is located, one of the primary legal frameworks addressing corruption is the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988. This act was enacted to combat corruption in public services and government organizations. Criminal Misconduct by Public Servants (Section 13) pertains to various forms of corrupt practices by public servants, including criminal misconduct, obtaining valuable things without consideration, and abuse of official position.

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Source : with agency inputs

Sanchari Chattopadhyay

Sanchari Chattopadhyay has pursued her M.A in English and Culture Studies from the University of Burdwan, West Bengal. She likes observing cultural specificities and exploring new places.