Former Mantralaya section officer sentenced for 2 yrs

Mumbai, June 27 (UNI) A special Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) court today sentenced former Mantralaya section officer to two years simple imprisonment for accepting a bribe of Rs 5,000 from a person for returning his original receipt of Rs 12 lakh, the amount he had invested in Ashok Sherekars' to double in 60 days time.

While passing the judgement here, Additional Sessions Judge R R Gandhi said accused Shivaji Soma Zanka, former section officer in Rural Development and Water Conservation Department at Mantralaya, was held guilty under the Corruption Act.

Zanke will have to suffer two years simple of imprisonment and pay fine of Rs 15,000, in default, he will have to undergo further imprisonment for more two months.

Additional Public Prosecutor Mohan Sawant said the complainant in 1998 had invested Rs 12 lakh with Ashok Sherekar to double in 60-days time. But, even after the maturity, he did not receive the money, therefore, he approached one Santosh Patil alias Bandya for recovery of his amount.

Patil took him to Zanke at Mantralaya, who assured that he will get back the amount and demanded xerox and original receipts of investment. When Zanke failed to deliver, the complainant demanded the original receipts back. For returning the original receipts, Zenke had demanded Rs 50,000, which was finally settled at Rs 5,000.

The complainant agreed to pay the amount and simultaneously registered a complaint with ACB. On January 13, 1998, he arrested while accepting bribe amount.

UNI