Assam: Panchayat Secretary arrested for MGNREGA bribery in Dhubri

Guwahati: A Gram Panchayat Secretary has been arrested by the sleuths of the Directorate of Vigilance & Anti-Corruption (V&AC) of the Assam Police for allegedly taking bribes in Dhubri, Assam.

As per reports, Nurul Islam Mollah, secretary of the Alamganj Gram Panchayat in Dhubri district, Assam, was arrested on charges of bribery.

Mollah allegedly demanded a 5 per cent bribe from a complainant in exchange for approving funds under the MGNREGA scheme (Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act).

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Even after approving the funds, Mollah reportedly demanded an additional Rs. 10,000 as a "reward."

The complainant, unwilling to pay the bribe, approached the DVAC to report Mollah's actions.

On Wednesday, a V&AC team set up a trap and apprehended Mollah red-handed in his office as he accepted the bribe money from the complainant.

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The DVAC recovered the marked bribe money (Rs. 10,000) from Mollah's possession.

A case (ACB P.S. Case No. 22/2024) under Section 7(b) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, was registered against Mollah at the ACB Police Station on the same day.

With sufficient evidence, the DVAC arrested Mollah and further legal proceedings are underway.