Spl Metropolitan Magistrate held on bribery charge

CBI on Tuesday arrested Special Metropolitan Magistrate R P Bhatia on allegations of receiving a bribe of Rs 25,000 from a shop owner in Lajpat Nagar who was <g data-gr-id="18">challaned</g> by him during an inspection.

Bhatia, who looked after matters related to Municipal Corporation of Delhi, had allegedly <g data-gr-id="17">challaned</g> the shop owner in Alaknanda Market during an inspection drive on August 10.

The Special Metropolitan Magistrate, Central Zone, (Littering), MCD, had asked the shop owner to appear before court and later he allegedly demanded illegal gratification of Rs 60,000 from the complainant for settling the challan.

A case was registered under Sections 7 and 13 (2) r/w 13(1) (d) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.

“The bribe was reduced to Rs 25,000 during negotiations. CBI laid a trap and the Special Metropolitan Magistrate was caught red-handed while demanding and accepting a bribe of Rs 25,000 from the complainant,” a CBI spokesperson alleged.

The agency later carried out searches at the residential premises of the accused.