School trustee hits govt clerk, alleges bribery

We will inquire into the episode and take appropriate action. The allegations of bribe levelled against my office clerk are baseless. RAJKUMAR BADOLE, Minister for social justice in state

MUMBAI:THE trustee of a residential school for scheduled caste students in Osmanabad allegedly beat up a clerk from the office of state social justice minister Rajkumar Badole on Friday. The trustee, Arun Niture, has alleged that he had paid the clerk ₹10 lakh as bribe in order to obtain a government grant for his school and a fresh approval for a new school.

Badole confirmed that one of his employees was beaten up and said due inquiry would be conducted. However, he has refused the allegations stating that nobody from his office had asked for bribe.

Niture had applied for annual grant for one of his residential schools and for a new residential school in the district. After no progress was made for three years, Niture approached an account clerk at the office. After this, the two got into an argument and Niture then allegedly assaulted the clerk.

“Even after taking money, the proposals were not cleared by the department. When I did not get the satisfactory reply, I bashed the employee up,” said Niture.

Badole said, “His proposal for the grant to a residential school is pending since 2009. The proposal needs sanction from the finance department and nod from the state cabinet before it is approved by our department. The school being run by Niture is illegal.”

Meanwhile, the Opposition has demanded a probe into entire episode. Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil, leader of opposition in legislative Assembly, said that corruption had reached its peak and in future, even ministers may face similar fate as the employee in his office.