A junior engineer and a contract worker were arrested on Wednesday (21 Jan 2026) evening by an anti-corruption team from Agra for allegedly accepting a bribe of ₹40,000 in exchange for dropping a case of electricity theft. Both accused will be produced before a departmental court in Agra on Thursday. The incident has created a stir within the power department.<br /><br />According to officials, Neeraj Kumar, a resident of Naushera village, had lodged a complaint with the anti-corruption unit alleging that Junior Engineer Rajesh Pal, posted at the Naushera feeder, was demanding a bribe of ₹70,000 from him. Neeraj informed the team that an electricity theft case had earlier been registered against him, for which the department had imposed a settlement fee of ₹21,000.<br /><br />The complainant alleged that despite the settlement, the junior engineer demanded additional money to close the case. When Neeraj pleaded for a reduction, the engineer allegedly agreed to take ₹40,000 immediately and the remaining amount later. After verifying the complaint, the anti-corruption team laid a trap.<br /><br />Following the team’s instructions, Neeraj agreed to pay the bribe. On Wednesday evening around 4:30 pm, during a one-time settlement scheme camp in Bhura Bharathara, the accused were caught red-handed while accepting the money.<br /><br />Inspector Sanjay Rai, who led the operation, said Junior Engineer Rajesh Pal, a resident of Mainpuri city, and contract worker Jayaprakash alias Munish Pal of Prithvipur, Karhal (Mainpuri), were apprehended at the Mata Mandir intersection in Bhura Bharathara.<br /><br />Investigators revealed that the junior engineer initially called Neeraj to the Naushera feeder and later directed him to a nearby village and then to the intersection. As soon as the bribe amount was accepted at the spot, the anti-corruption team moved in and arrested both accused.<br /><br />Further legal proceedings are underway.<br /><br />#CorruptionBusted #AgraNews #AntiCorruption #BriberyCase #PowerDepartment #BreakingNews #UPNews #VigilanceAction
