ACB Arrests BMC Officials in Bribery Case Over Hotel License Renewal | Representational Image
Mumbai: The Mumbai Unit of Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) have arrested a doctor and another staffer from the B-ward of the BMC in a bribery case. The accused public servants had demanded bribe from a hotelier for renewal of his license.
The accused public servants have been identified as Dr Reshma Sable (Medical Health Officer) and Govind Ghawate from B-ward office near J.J. Hospital.
According to the ACB, the complainant has a restaurant and the health department license of the restaurant is expiring on 21/02/2025. Therefore, when the complainant went to the office of B-Ward for the annual renewal of the said license of the restaurant, the public servants there referred the complainant to Medical Health Officer Dr Reshma Sable.
Accordingly, when the complainant went to meet Dr Sable, staffer Govind Ghawat, told him that for the said work he would have to pay “madam” Rs. 6,000, only then they will remove his restaurant license from NTR (Not to Renew) after which he can renew his hotel medical license by paying the renewal fee online.
“After that the complainant from time to time met Dr Sable, who also asked him to pay Rs 6,000 first. At that time the complainant requested her to remove the NTR so that he can renew his license and after that he will pay her Rs 6,000. But Dr. Reshma Sable did not work for the restaurant license of the complainant. The renewal of the complainant’s license would not have taken place unless Dr Reshma Sable had logged in from her login ID,” said an ACB official.
As the complainant did not want to pay bribe to the public servants, he appeared before the ACB Mumbai office on 21/03/2025 and filed a written complaint. During the verification action conducted on 21/03/2025 in accordance with the said complaint, it was learnt that Dr Reshma Sable had demanded a bribe of Rs 6000 from the complainant for renewal of his restaurant license and agreed to accept it.
Accordingly, a trap was laid and Govind Ghawat was caught red-handed while accepting bribe from the complainant on behalf of Dr Sable. A case has been registered against the duo under the relevant sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act.
The accused public servants were arrested on Monday after which they were produced before a local court which remanded them to two days ACB custody.
