Rajkot: The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) caught a talati-cum-mantri in Junagadh district red-handed accepting Rs 1,500 as bribe via digital payment using a QR code.The accused, Jaydeep Chavda, a class-3 officer, had demanded the bribe to issue a marriage memorandum required by the complainant to avail of govt financial assistance.The complainant’s brother had solemnized a court marriage at Parab Vavdi village, Taluka Bhesan, District Junagadh. To avail of the government scheme offering financial aid, they required an official memorandum of marriage issued by the concerned talati.RR Solanki, inspector, ACB said that govt offers financial assistance of Rs 2.5 lakh under a scheme to encourage inter-caste marriage.Unwilling to pay the bribe, the complainant approached the ACB and filed a complaint. ACB officials laid a trap, during which Chavda engaged in incriminating conversation and accepted the amount through a digital payment app using the QR code he had provided.The accused confirmed receipt of Rs 1,500 into his bank account.
