Pune Mandal Officer Arrested by ACB for Accepting ₹40,000 Bribe in Land Registration Case

Pune Anti-Corruption Bureau arrests Mandal Officer Rajendra Bhagwan Waghmare for accepting a ₹40,000 bribe to approve land record alterations in Pandharpur, Maharashtra.

Pune | October 10, 2025 — The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), Pune, has successfully arrested Rajendra Bhagwan Waghmare, a 53-year-old Mandal Officer from Pandharpur, in connection with a bribery case involving land registration. Waghmare allegedly demanded a bribe of ₹40,000 to approve a land record alteration after rejecting the complainant’s land sale document.

According to ACB officials, the complainant approached the bureau after repeated attempts to get the land registration processed were blocked by Waghmare, who reportedly asked for the illegal payment. The ACB set up a carefully planned trap and caught Waghmare red-handed during the exchange of cash.

The arrested officer has been taken into custody for further investigation, and ACB sources confirm that a case has been registered under relevant provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988. Officials also indicated that the investigation may expand to include other officials who could be involved in similar malpractices in the land records department.

This arrest is part of a larger effort by the Pune ACB to curb corruption in Maharashtra’s land administration sector. Land registration and record alterations are critical public services, and any delay or obstruction due to bribery directly affects citizens and property owners. The bureau has emphasized its zero-tolerance approach to corruption and has urged the public to report such incidents promptly.

The accused, Rajendra Bhagwan Waghmare, served as a Mandal Officer responsible for overseeing land document approvals in the Pandharpur jurisdiction. The ACB’s trap operation involved undercover surveillance, verification of complaints, and coordination with local police to ensure the bribe could be recorded as evidence.

The Pune ACB’s action has been widely appreciated as a demonstration of government accountability and proactive anti-corruption measures. Residents and property owners in Pandharpur and nearby regions have welcomed the arrest, expressing hope that such steps will lead to greater transparency in land record administration.

The bureau has confirmed that further investigation is ongoing, and any accomplices or officers involved in obstructing legitimate land registration processes will face similar legal action. Citizens have been advised to cooperate with authorities, provide evidence of corruption, and avoid paying bribes, as such transactions are illegal and punishable under Indian law.

This case also serves as a reminder of the importance of monitoring administrative processes and holding government officials accountable for misconduct. With the arrest of Waghmare, the Pune ACB has reinforced its commitment to ensuring integrity in public service, particularly in areas affecting property and land rights in Maharashtra.

The bureau’s action is expected to have a deterrent effect on officials attempting to exploit citizens, and the administration has assured the public that all complaints will be thoroughly investigated to maintain the trust and transparency of government services.

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