Belagavi: After a video of an assistant executive engineer (AEE) accepting a bribe from a farmer went viral on social media platforms, Hescom suspended the accused officer, Duryodhan Mali. In the video shared by a farmer from Shiraguppi in Kagwad taluk, the officer is seen accepting a Rs 3,000 bribe from him. The farmer had sought work concerning a transformer of Hescom, and after bribe was sought, he reportedly shot a video of the same. The video shows the officer, seated on a table, counting the money, and keeping it in his pocket. The officer is also heard saying “you will get your work done immediately”. The farmer has not given details about the incident. Praveenkumar Chikkade, chief engineer (in-charge), Hescom, said the officer was suspended soon after the allegations surfaced on social media. A departmental investigation will also be conducted.
