A clerk from the Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) was arrested by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) for allegedly accepting a bribe at Mantralaya, the state secretariat in Mumbai. According to the ACB, Rajendra Dherange was caught red-handed on Thursday while allegedly taking Rs 35,000 from a complainant. The complainant had sought restoration of his medical licence. The clerk was posted on the second floor of Mantralaya and was responsible for preparing papers for departmental hearings.

Minister Narhari Zirwal reacts

Maharashtra FDA Minister Narhari Zirwal said the incident was serious and assured strict action. “What has happened is serious. The accused will have to face the consequences. He was tasked with preparing papers for departmental hearings,” Zirwal told reporters in New Delhi.