Nagpur: In a major anti-corruption crackdown, the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) Nagpur caught a Superintending Engineer of the Water Resources Department red-handed while allegedly accepting a bribe of ₹70,000 for clearing pending contractor bills and approving fresh tenders.
The accused has been identified as Ravindra Nilkanthrao Wankhede, posted as Superintending Engineer in the Mechanical Division of the Water Resources Department, Nagpur. The action has created a stir within government circles.
According to ACB officials, the complainant is a registered contractor who had completed irrigation-related works worth ₹10 lakh at Karajkheda in Bhandara district and ₹15 lakh at Lakhamapur in Nagpur district. Bills amounting to a total of ₹25 lakh were pending for approval with the department.
Gold Rate
May 22- 2026 - Time 10.30Hrs
Investigations revealed that Wankhede allegedly demanded ₹50,000 — around 2 percent of the bill amount — to clear the pending payments. He also allegedly sought an additional ₹20,000 to approve new tenders worth ₹10 lakh for works at Bhuratola (Bhandara) and Khadki Minor (Nagpur) in the complainant’s favour.
Following the complaint, ACB Nagpur conducted a discreet verification and confirmed the demand for a bribe. Acting on this, the bureau laid a trap on May 21, 2026, and caught the officer red-handed inside his office while accepting ₹70,000.
During the operation, officials also recovered an additional ₹36,630 in cash from the accused apart from the trap amount. A case under the Prevention of Corruption Act is being registered at Dhantoli Police Station.
The operation was carried out under the guidance of ACB Nagpur Superintendent of Police Dr. Digambar Pradhan and Additional Superintendents of Police Madhuri Baviskar and Vijay Mahulkar. Deputy Superintendent of Police Anil Jittawar, Inspector Jitendra Vairagade and other officers played a key role in the action.
ACB Appeals to Citizens
The Anti-Corruption Bureau has appealed to citizens across Nagpur, Wardha, Bhandara, Gondia, Gadchiroli and Chandrapur districts to immediately report any government official, employee or agent demanding bribes for official work. The bureau assured prompt action on complaints.
