NEW DELHI: The much talked about anti-graft helpline of Arvind Kejriwal-led Delhi government made its first arrest on Saturday. A state government official and two contractual staff were arrested for taking bribes from truck drivers to allow early entry into the wholesale market.
As per an Anti-Corruption Bureau official, a call was received on Thursday on 1031, the helpline number, with complaints of bribes being demanded for entry into the Sabzi Mandi despite having valid entry pass. The caller was advised to do a sting and inform.
After verifying his claim, a team of 15-18 officials of ACB conducted a late-night raid at the Mandi with thousands of trucks lined up for entry. The team found a security in-charge and two contractual staff indulged in taking bribes to allow early entry.
“A security in-charge and two contractual staff were arrested who used to take hefty amount from transporters to allow them early entry. Amount varied on the basis of urgency and cost of consignment in the truck,” an ACB official said on Saturday.
The arrests came for the first time after the helpline was launched by the AAP government. The agency also seized currency notes from possession of the three. The helpline was a key election promise of the Aam Aadmi Party which was born two years ago from the Janlokpal movement.
Delhi government sources claim the helpline has answered a total of 32,489 telephone calls within 100 hours of its launch. Of those, only 70 were found to be serious and forwarded to ACB for further action. The government said efforts were being made to ensure that no call made on 1031 goes unanswered.
