The Lokayukta police in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, have arrested the CEO and a clerk of the Bina Krishi Mandi Board in Sagar district for accepting a bribe. The board’s CEO, Naval Singh Raghuwanshi, and Grade III clerk, Nitin Raikwar, were caught in the act after demanding a commission of Rs 5 per quintal from a grain merchant named Govind Vallabh from Uttrakhand.
According to reports, Vallabh had purchased food grains worth Rs 10 lakh from the Bina Krishi Mandi. Raghuwanshi and Raikwar demanded Rs 8,430 as part payment for 1,686 quintals to verify the purchase. The Lokayukta police were alerted when Vallabh lodged a complaint and laid a trap for the two corrupt officials. The moment Raghuwanshi and Raikwar accepted the bribe, they were arrested by the police team.
The special police establishment (SPE) Lokayukta Sagar’s superintendent of police, Rameshwar Yadav, confirmed the arrest and revealed that the complaint was made by Vallabh, who is a grain merchant and resident of Uttrakhand. The police team involved in the arrest included DSP Rajesh Khede, inspector BM Dewedi, Ranjeet Singh, and other personnel.
This is not the first incident of corruption in the Bina Krishi Mandi Board. Earlier this year, the board was investigated for embezzlement of funds and other corrupt practices. The latest incident has once again highlighted the need for stricter measures against corruption and the importance of acting on complaints made by citizens.
The Lokayukta police must be commended for their swift action in apprehending the offenders. The state government must also take strict measures to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future. It is essential to create a corruption-free environment and ensure transparency in all public dealings. The arrest of the CEO and clerk is a step in the right direction and sends a message to others engaging in corrupt practices.
