Ratnagiri Bribery Controversy | The Officer Who’s Always in the ‘Spotlight of Scandal’

Summary:

A Ratnagiri Zilla Parishad officer, once ousted from a general body meeting for taking bribes, is back in the spotlight. Despite past corruption cases, fake PhD allegations, and ongoing police investigations, he has now been appointed to lead three departments — sparking outrage and allegations of administrative favoritism.

Full English News Article:

Ratnagiri:
Controversy once again surrounds a senior officer of the Ratnagiri Zilla Parishad, known for his long trail of disputes and corruption allegations. Six years ago, he was dramatically expelled from a general body meeting after being caught accepting bribes — a scandal that had made headlines at the time.

After serving controversial stints in Kolhapur and Solapur, the same officer has now returned to Ratnagiri, where he has been placed in charge of three key departments. This decision has triggered sharp criticism and sarcastic remarks such as “Take bribes and get promoted.”

During his earlier tenure, the officer faced corruption allegations supported by documentary evidence presented in the Zilla Parishad. Following a heated debate led by former member Uday Bane, he was ordered to leave the meeting hall and later transferred out of the district.

His subsequent postings were no cleaner. In Kolhapur, similar accusations surfaced, and the local Zilla Parishad passed a resolution to relieve him of his duties. Later, in Solapur, he was caught red-handed in a bribery case in 2022. Police investigations also uncovered unaccounted wealth worth ₹5.85 crore, while in 2019, Pune’s Wanwadi Police booked him for allegedly obtaining a fake PhD from the bogus Commonwealth Vocational University of Tonga.

Despite these ongoing probes, the officer has now been reinstated in Ratnagiri with additional responsibilities. Sources claim his reappointment was made despite the administration being fully aware of his tainted record.

Once known for his so-called “honesty and discipline,” the officer’s image has collapsed under the weight of multiple corruption charges — leaving citizens questioning the credibility of the local administration.