Gautam Buddha Nagar, October 18 (Udaipur Kiran): The Anti-Corruption Organization (ACO) team from Meerut has arrested a lekhpal and his associate red-handed while accepting a ₹50,000 bribe outside the residence of the SDM, Dadri. Both have been booked at Surajpur police station and will be produced before the Anti-Corruption Court in Meerut today.
According to Inspector Mayank Arora, in-charge of the ACO Meerut, the complaint was filed on October 15 by Mahesh Chand Sharma, a resident of Dhoom Manikpur village. He alleged that Lekhpal Darshan Kumar had demanded a bribe of ₹1 lakh to measure his land and submit a favourable report. The complainant stated that he was unwilling to pay the bribe.
Following the complaint, an investigation team was formed, which found that the lekhpal had a poor reputation and routinely demanded bribes to perform official duties. Based on the findings, a special team was constituted to organize a trap operation.
After obtaining necessary approvals from the headquarters in Lucknow, the team met with the District Magistrate of Gautam Buddha Nagar on October 17 and briefed him on the case. Two independent witnesses were arranged for the operation. That night, the team accompanied the complainant to trap the accused.
When the complainant called Darshan Kumar, the lekhpal informed him that he was at the SDM’s residence in Dadri. Upon reaching the location, the complainant, carrying pre-treated notes dusted with phenolphthalein powder, met the accused. Darshan Kumar, claiming he was busy distributing Diwali gifts with the SDM, instructed the complainant to hand over the money to his associate, Mohsin Khan, while giving the documents to him.
As soon as the complainant handed the cash to Mohsin Khan and the documents to Darshan Kumar, the ACO team caught both red-handed. The trap team recovered the bribe money along with ₹4.71 lakh in cash and several documents from the lekhpal’s car.
Preliminary investigation revealed that Mohsin Khan worked as a private agent for the lekhpal. Their mobile phones and other materials have been seized for further examination.
The arrest information was immediately shared with SDM Dadri Anuj Nehra and Tehsildar Dr. Ajay Kumar. The incident attracted local residents and government employees to the spot, causing a brief commotion.
Both accused have been charged under Sections 7 and 12 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988. They are being presented before the Anti-Corruption Court in Meerut today.
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.
