A total amount of Rs 2.9 lakh was found in the possession of two Port Trust officials in Gujarat. The officials had accepted the amount as bribe, according to an NDTV report. The report adds that the entire amount was in the new Rs 2000 notes, introduced in the country on 11 November.
Additionally, the strict cash withdrawal rules imposed after Prime Minister Modi’s demonetisation announcement on 8 November ensures that not more than Rs 24,000 can be withdrawn in a week from a single bank account.
The two officers, Superintending Engineer P Srivivasu and Sub Divisional officer K Komtekar, had allegedly sought a bribe of Rs. 4.4 lakh. The money was for clearing pending dues of a private electrical firm, according to Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), Gujarat.
It was these firm owners which tipped off the agency about the bribes being sought. The report adds that on 15 November, a middleman of the two accused, Rudreshar, accepted part of the total amount from the firm.
This new development is significant since the policy of demonetisation was announced as part of fight against black money.
Currently, ACB is investigating the manner in which the new notes were acquired.
(With inputs from NDTV.)
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