Nashik: The anti-corruption bureau on Thursday arrested Malegaon’s municipal commissioner Ravindra Jadhav, his personal assistant Nilesh Patil and accountant Harish Dimber for allegedly demanding a bribe of Rs 80,000 to clear payments for civic works. The arrests came just days before Jadhav’s retirement on Oct 31.
“The complainant had submitted a formal complaint on July 9, 2026, stating that authorisation letters were issued for two contractors who executed municipal works for the Malegaon Municipal Corporation. To disburse the bills directly to the contractors’ bank accounts via RTGS, the public servants demanded a 4% bribe on each of the two bills, totalling Rs 80,000. Police said Patil repeatedly demanded the bribe on July 10 and 13 and assured the complainant that he would consult the commissioner. Jadhav has been booked under section 7, while Patil and Dimber face charges under sections 7 and 12.
Jadhav and Patil were arrested in Igatpuri while travelling towards Mumbai, while Dimber was held in Malegaon. A case has been registered at Malegaon Killa police station under the Prevention of Corruption Act. Following the verification of the demand, a trap was laid by the ACB on Thursday and the three were arrested,” said deputy superintendent of police (ACB) Swatee Pawar. Based on the complaint and verification of the demand, the ACB laid a trap on Thursday.
“While the law will decide the fate in this case, residents of Malegaon, however, hope that govt will now depute IAS officers as commissioners, as they are better administrators and are dedicated for the development of the local bodies,” Ahmed said. ACB teams also carried out searches at the residences and premises linked to the accused and are examining documents that could strengthen the investigation. Malegaon’s deputy mayor Shaan-e-Hind Nihal Ahmed called for administrative reforms in the civic body.