A vigilance team has arrested regional tourism officer Yogesh Kumar Gangwar on Friday on charge of accepting a bribe of Rs 22, 000 from a complainant. Gangwar had sought bribe of Rs 22, 000 from the complainant against approval of his house to be used for official purpose by tourism department (regional tourism office, Dehradun) under Home Stay Scheme launched by the State Government.
In his written complaint lodged with the vigilance Dehradun sector, the complainant stated that to get the approval of his house to be used for official purpose by the tourism department under the Home Stay Scheme, he had submitted relevant documents to the office of regional tourism officer, Dehradun on April 27.
He said he had approached tourism officer Gangwar several times for approval. But he had been intentionally sitting on it, the complainant said. He said he had again met the officer Gangwar on May 24 and requested him to clear the approval. This time, the officer had asked for Rs 25, 000 as bribe to have the approval cleared, the complainant said.
As the complainant had requested the officer to reduce the amount it was finally fixed at Rs 22,000. Gangwar had called him to his office with Rs 22, 000 on May 27, as per the complainant.
Acting on the complaint, a team led by vigilance inspector was formed. Two independent witnesses were also included in it. The vigilance team members drafted a plan to trap them. Gangwar being a gazetted officer, permission was sought from the State Government through director (vigilance).
Gangwar was caught red- handed while taking Rs 22, 000 as bribe from the complainant at his office located at Gandhi Road on Friday in the presence of two independent
witnesses.
A case under appropriate sections of Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 was registered against the accused in Dehradun sector vigilance.
Vigilance team conducted raids at accused’s house, located in Dehradun and collected relevant documents. Team recovered Rs 6.67 lakh in cash from his house and 13 bank accounts in his family members’ name aside from eight insurance policies worth lakhs and four land registries.
Ashok Kumar, director (vigilance) announced reward for the team members led by vigilance Dehradun sector in-charge SP Pramod Kumar for cracking the case.