New Delhi: The Central Bureau of Investigation arrested a Special Metropolitan Magistrate on Tuesday in the national capital for allegedly demanding bribe of Rs 25,000 from a shopkeeper by threatening to seal his shop.
A senior CBI official said that R P Bhatia, who is Special Metropolitan Magistrate of Central Zone (Littering) in South Municipal Corporation of Delhi was arrested from his office in Lajpat Nagar.
Bhatia had allegedly threatened to seal a readymade garment shop in Alaknanda market of Delhi during inspection on August 10 and had asked the owner to appear before him at his office in Lajpat Nagar.
During the meeting, Bhatia allegedly demanded Rs 60,000 for not sealing the shop and during negotiations the bribe was purportedly reduced to Rs 25,000.
“The bribe was reduced to Rs 25,000 during negotiations. CBI laid a trap and the Special Metropolitan Magistrate was caught red handed while demanding and accepting the bribe of Rs 25,000 from the complainant,” the official said.
The official also said that searches were also conducted at residential premises of the accused.