THANE: A special recovery officer of the co-operative department accused of corruption has been acquitted by the special Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) court in Thane as the prosecution failed to prove charges against him. Hauserao Ramchandra Gawade was given the benefit of doubt by the Special Judge (ACB) Amit M Shete.
According to the prosecution’s case, in 2009, the complainant on her return from London after completing her studies found her flat in Nayanagar, Mira Road, sealed for non-payment of maintenance dues. On inquiry, she learnt that the process to recover the dues had been initiated and that Gawade had been appointed as a special recovery officer in the case. The complainant, on the advice of the housing society secretary, approached Gawade and inquired about the procedure for removal of the seal. Gawade allegedly told the complainant that she needed to pay Rs 70,000, including interest on the arrears. He also allegedly demanded a bribe of Rs 10,000. The complainant then approached the ACB office and filed a complaint against the recovery officer. Following receipt of the complaint, the ACB laid a trap.
The defence counsel punched holes in the probe and the case itself. The judge in his order noted that the prosecution failed to establish that the accused had demanded a bribe.
According to the prosecution’s case, in 2009, the complainant on her return from London after completing her studies found her flat in Nayanagar, Mira Road, sealed for non-payment of maintenance dues. On inquiry, she learnt that the process to recover the dues had been initiated and that Gawade had been appointed as a special recovery officer in the case. The complainant, on the advice of the housing society secretary, approached Gawade and inquired about the procedure for removal of the seal. Gawade allegedly told the complainant that she needed to pay Rs 70,000, including interest on the arrears. He also allegedly demanded a bribe of Rs 10,000. The complainant then approached the ACB office and filed a complaint against the recovery officer. Following receipt of the complaint, the ACB laid a trap.
The defence counsel punched holes in the probe and the case itself. The judge in his order noted that the prosecution failed to establish that the accused had demanded a bribe.
