Corruption in Jharkhand’s employment sector took another hit as the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) Palamu team executed a flawless trap operation in Chhatarpur’s Sildag Panchayat. Employment Sevak Sunil Kumar now faces judicial remand after being apprehended while pocketing Rs 6,000 in bribe money.
The case revolves around two women from Sildag village who sought approval for their Didi Bari Yojana applications via the gram sabha. This flagship scheme promises homes to marginalized women, but Sunil Kumar allegedly stalled their files unless they coughed up Rs 6,000. Unwilling to compromise, the duo filed a formal complaint with ACB, triggering an immediate investigation.
ACB’s verification confirmed the corruption charges, leading to a meticulously planned raid. Friday saw the trap team, with the complainants in tow, confront the sevak at his location. The moment he grasped the bribe envelope, officers pounced, securing irrefutable evidence through chemical tests and witness statements.
Post-arrest procedures at Medininagar headquarters culminated in the court ordering his custody. This is ACB Palamu’s fourth successful entrapment this year, highlighting a disturbing pattern in rural job facilitation offices.
Experts point to systemic loopholes allowing such officials to exploit vulnerable applicants. Community leaders are calling for stricter oversight and digital tracking of scheme approvals to prevent future scams. Sunil Kumar’s case serves as a stark reminder that no one is above the law in the fight against bribery.