Civil supply dept officer gets two years in jail for graft

SURAT: Prakash Desai, former zonal officer of Varachha zone of civil supply department in Surat district collectorate, used to be convicted of graft charges by way of a local court and sentenced to two years imprisonment on Thursday. Middleman Mathuralal Khatik used to be additionally convicted and sentenced to two years in jail for accepting the bribe money on behalf of the convicted officer.

Officers of anti-corruption bureau laid a trap on March 14, 2005, following a complaint by way of a good price store proprietor. Desai had demanded Rs4,400 from the complainant for no longer pointing out more ration cardholders who had connection of cooking gasoline as his shoppers, police investigation printed.

If more ration cardholders having cooking gasoline connection had been declared as his shoppers, then they wouldn't be eligible for kerosene. Consequently, kerosene supply to the fair price store gets lowered and will have impacted his earnings.

The complainant went to pay the cash on March 14, 2005 and the accused authorized it via Khatik. Investigation printed that Khatik had authorized the cash at the Desai’s instructions.