MARGAO
Acting on the complaint of one Sydney Torcato, the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) on Tuesday nabbed two persons - Melwyn Soares, a resident of Fatorda, and Sachin Shinde, a resident of Navelim - who are suspected to have allegedly impersonated Vigilance Department officials and demanded a bribe from the complainant who runs an open dance floor in Velim.
According to ACB DySP Bousset Silva, the duo allegedly demanded a bribe of Rs 5 lakh from Torcato. They claimed to be from the Vigilance Department, and further claimed to have been sent by higher authorities, Silva added.
Silva said the duo told the complainant that in case he fails to pay the sum of Rs 5 lakh, then the said hall would be demolished by the Collector, as the duo claimed that the hall falls under the orchard zone. Under this pretext, the duo allegedly collected a sum of Rs 20,000 from the complainant. The balance sum was supposed to be paid later, Silva said. Meanwhile, Silva said the said complainant approached the ACB with the complaint, and also provided CCTV footage. The duo thereafter were supposed to go to the complainant for collecting the balance amount, but instead called the complainant to SGPDA ground. However they changed their minds and asked the complainant to come to Ravindra Bhavan, informed Silva. The duo were nabbed while allegedly accepting the sum of Rs 80,000 at SGPDA grounds, said Silva.
Silva said that Melwyn, who was one of the persons who was nabbed, possesses an identity card which mentions that he is on contract with Information Department. Silva said the duo have been booked under Section 7 and 13 of the Prevention of Corruption Act.
