Lakhimpur Kheri, November 17 — The Anti-Corruption Organization, Lucknow, has arrested an Assistant Development Officer (Panchayat) from Nighasan block for allegedly demanding and accepting a bribe of ₹30,000 from a Gram Panchayat secretary.
According to officials, complainant Muniraj Dwiwedi, Secretary of Gram Panchayat Phijmohani, reported that for approving a ₹6 lakh sanitation construction project for fiscal 2023–24, the officer demanded a bribe in exchange for submitting the project’s evaluation report.
A verification was carried out following the complaint, during which the accused, identified as Assistant Development Officer (Panchayat) Inhi Kumar Chaubey, agreed to accept the amount. Subsequently, a trap was organized, and Chaubey was caught red-handed at his residence while receiving the bribe. Investigators also seized additional cash and documents connected to the transaction from his home.
Officials confirmed that Chaubey has been taken into custody, and preliminary proceedings are being carried out under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, as amended in 2018. The Anti-Corruption Organization continues to examine evidence recovered during the operation.
