Lokayukta Busts Panchayat Secretary in Balaghat, Caught Taking ₹50,000 Bribe

Balaghat, MP: In a major anti-corruption move, the Jabalpur Lokayukta conducted a raid in Balaghat and caught a Panchayat Secretary red-handed while accepting a bribe of ₹50,000. The accused, Yogesh Hirwane, allegedly demanded the bribe in exchange for issuing a No Objection Certificate (NOC) for a construction project. The operation has sent shockwaves through the district.

Bribe Demanded for NOC
According to reports, Ankush Choukse, a resident of Gram Panchayat Ukwa, had filed a complaint against Panchayat Secretary Yogesh Hirwane. Choukse had applied for permission to carry out construction on leased land and required an NOC from the Panchayat. Hirwane allegedly demanded a bribe for issuing the NOC.

Complaint Leads to Lokayukta Action
Frustrated with the Panchayat Secretary’s behavior, Choukse approached the Jabalpur Lokayukta with evidence. Upon preliminary verification, the Lokayukta team confirmed the complaint and set up a trap to catch the official in the act.

Caught Accepting ₹50,000
While the Panchayat Secretary reportedly demanded a total bribe of ₹1 lakh, the Lokayukta team arrested him on 13 November while he was accepting the first installment of ₹50,000. Legal action is being taken against Hirwane under Sections 7, 13(1)B, and 13(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 (Amendment 2018).

This operation highlights the Lokayukta’s proactive approach in tackling corruption and maintaining accountability in public offices.