Agriculture dept officer held for taking Rs 2 lakh bribe

A Deputy Director of Agriculture department here was caught red-handed by the Lokayukta sleuths while taking bribe of Rs 2 lakh, an official said today.

Acting on a complaint of Kamta Prasad Patel that Hedau Namdeo demanded Rs 4.5 lakh as 'commission' to clear his Rs 27 lakh bill for distribution of seeds through a distribution committee and for its renewal of license, a trap was laid at the latter's office last night, Lokayukta DSP Naval Yadav said.

As soon as Namdeo accepted Rs 2 lakh as first instalment of the bribe sum kept in two separate envelopes, Lokayukta sleuths caught him red-handed.

A case under relevant sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act was registered against him and further investigations are on.