Belthangadi: The Kokkada Gram Panchayat (GP) president and panchayat development officer (PDO) were trapped by Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB ) on February 5, while accepting a bribe of Rs 35000 from an authorised contractor for clearing pending bills.

GP President Sebastian and PDO Puroshotham were caught red-handed this noon.

Ummer, a designated contractor for road and underground drains had executed works to the tune of Rs 5.5 lakhs in the Kokkada GP limits. When he presented the bills for payment, both Sebastian and Puroshotham demanded Rs 35,000 bribe to clear the pending bills. Unable to pay that amount, Ummer sought ACB’s help.

The duo was trapped by ACB, while accepting the bribe in their office this afternoon in a well executed ploy by the investigative agency.

DySP Sudhir M Hegde, Inspector Yogesh Kumar Naik and staff took part in the operation monitored by ACB Western Range Superintendent of Police N S Shruti.