Cop to ACB: MLC was at Ravi Bhavan day bribe given

Nagpur: A head constable from Yavatmal police headquarters, deployed as bodyguard for a Member of Legislative Council (MLC), told the State Anti-Corruption bureau (ACB) sleuths that the politician was present at Ravi Bhavan on March 28.
The same day, Dilip Khode, a former officer on special duty (OSD) was trapped at Ravi Bhavan taking ₹25 lakh bribe from Regional Transport Officer Ravindra Bhuyar.
The money was allegedly changing hands to ensure two complaints of sexual harassment against Bhuyar were not raised in the legislative council by the MLC. During the verification before the trap, the MLC had berated the RTO officer on phone, and asked him to hand over the ‘documents’ to Khode.
Even a month after the trap, the ACB office has neither summoned the MLC for questioning nor recorded his statement. Sources said ACB Nagpur SP Rahul Maknikar and others were summoned by Additional DG of State ACB Nikhet Kaushik. It was expected the probe would be expedited and the MLC would be summoned soon, but the investigation agency seems to be in no hurry, hinting at political intervention.
Apart from the ongoing probe in the ACB case, sources said the contents of Khode’s mobile phone had strongly hinted at corruption in Mantralaya involving various ministries.
While Khode was caught, his accomplice Shekhar Bhoyar had managed to flee the spot. Bhoyar was arrested later. The contents of their mobile phones, call detail records and chats have been sent to the Regional Forensic Science Laboratory (RFSL).
It’s learnt Khode had a letter from the MLC addressed to the chief minister regarding the sexual harassment charges against the RTO.
Sources said the ACB had summoned the Yavatmal cop, who informed that the MLC was present at Ravi Bhavan for some time, but did not know for what reason.
The Yavatmal MLC had told TOI that he visited Ravi Bhavan to use the toilet. He had also asserted that he did not know Khode but Bhoyar was a close contact.
SP ACB Maknikar said, “We have already summoned his bodyguard and also the man who owned the car used by him. The MLC would be called for questioning at the right time.” He added the ACB is probing the case in right manner with all necessary legal precautions.