Civic official convicted in bribery case

Mumbai, July 20 (UNI) A special court here today sentenced a Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) licence inspector to two years rigorous imprisonment in a bribery case.

Additional sessions judge R R Gandhi while awarding the sentence to Ajit Sonawane also imposed a fine of Rs 15,000 or face an additional three months imprisonment.

Additional public prosecutor Lata Chheda said on June 24, 1999, Sonawane was arrested while accepting Rs 1000 from Mr Ramesh Kanade, who had a printing press in eastern suburbs. The complainant wanted to change the name of his business and had approached the civic official for the purpose.

However, Sonawane had demanded Rs 1000. Kanade agreed to pay but simultaneously lodged a complaint with the anti corruption bureau.

The ACB sleuths had laid a trap and nabbed Sonawane red-handed while accepting the amount.

UNI