The Thane Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has arrested two project officers from the Tribal Development Project in Shahapur, Thane, for accepting a ₹15,000 bribe from a complainant for sanctioning a medical bill.

The accused have been identified as Harish Dattatray Marathe (47), a Senior Clerk (Class-3) appointed as Project Officer, and Hemant Balkrishna Kirpan (39), a Junior Clerk (Class-3) designated as Project Officer for the Integrated Tribal Development Project, Shahapur.

An ACB official stated that the complainant's mother's medical bill had been verified and forwarded to senior officials for final approval. However, Marathe and Kirpan allegedly demanded ₹23,000 to expedite the process. The complainant then approached the Thane ACB office on March 7.

During verification, ACB officials confirmed the bribe demand, which was later negotiated and settled at ₹15,000. A trap was set, and Hemant Kirpan was caught red-handed accepting the bribe, while Marathe was detained.

Following the arrests, a case was registered against them under the Prevention of Corruption Act, and further investigation is underway.