Daijiworld Media Network - Beltangady (SP)

Beltangady, May 12: Undersecretary and deputy director in the department of rural development and Panchayat Raj, Mubarak Ahmed, has issued an order, cancelling the gram panchayat presidentship and membership of V J Sebastian, former president of Kokkada gram panchayat in the taluk.

This punishment has been awarded, duly treating Sebastian's role in accepting bribe for passing bill of a contractor for works done for the gram panchayat as misconduct.

Reportedly, Sebastian had demanded bribe of Rs 50,000 from contractor, Ummer, for works executed under 14th finance commission projects for the year 2017-18. It has been alleged that out of this, Rs 20,000 was paid to Sebastian in cash by the contractor. The balance amount of Rs 30,000 was being handed over to panchayat development officer, Purushothm, on February 5, 2018 under instructions from Sebastian, when he was caught red-handed by the officials of Anti-Corruption Bureau.

The ACB had arrested both Purushotham and Sebastian relating to this payment. Both had later secured release on bail.