June 25: A Deputy Municipal Commissioner of Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) was arrested by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) on Tuesday while accepting a bribe of Rs 1 lakh from a transport contractor.

Indravadan Chimanlal Gandhi (57), who is in charge of the BMC's solid waste management department, was later remanded to police custody till June 27 by Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate S N Chimde.

A shocked Municipal Commissioner Girish Gokhale when approached by reporters for comments, said it was too early to speak on the issue. ``I will not comment on it right now,'' he said.

The contractor, Naseem Siddique, had complained to the ACB about Gandhi's demand for a bribe of Rs 2 lakh for allowing him to increase the number of vehicles hired by the BMC. Siddique said he was not in a position to pay the ``enormous'' official amount for the purpose and Gandhi ``advised" him to settle the matter for Rs 2 lakh.

Siddique was asked to pay the first instalment of Rs 1 lakh at 9 pm on Tuesday at the DMC's official residence on the third floor of Shaivalee building, Worli seaface. Acting on the complaint, ACB sleuths followed the contractor to Gandhi's residence. The additional commissioner of police, Anti-Corruption Bureau, S A Kakkar told Express Newsline: ``It was a really difficult trap and our officers faced a lot of inconvenience. Had it been his office, it would have been easier for us. But the handing over of money at the residence made our task more complicated.''

Siddique entered the flat with a witness, while the officers waited outside.

After exchanging pleasantries, the Gandhi asked if Siddique had brought the money. Siddique handed over the newspaper-wrapped bundle containing the amount in Rs 500 denomination. Gandhi checked the cash and kept it on the table.

At this point of time the ACB squad barged into his flat and placed the DMC under arrest.

This is for the first time that a top official of the BMC has been nabbed red handed. A DMC is third in command in the corporation, coming just under the additional municipal commissioner. Gandhi's arrest has sent shock waves throughout the BMC.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.