Mumbai: The Thane unit of the state Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) arrested an education officer attached to the Panchayat Samiti office in Vasai for sanctioning a fee hike in the complainant’s school. The complainant, a school principal in Naigaon, had approached the education department, seeking a hike in fees for the secondary grade.

The 52-year-old lay principal had approached Brijesh Bakelal Gupta (41), attached to the education department, Panchayat Samiti, Vasai. The principal had asked for permission to hike the fees for Classes six to twelve, which was being tackled by Mr Gupta.

An ACB officer said, “The officer however sought Rs 6 lakh to clear the proposal and demanded Rs 50,000 in advance with the proposal file. The final amount was decided to be Rs 5 lakh.”

The school management agreed to pay the amount but at the same time, lodged a complaint with the Thane unit of ACB. ACB officials laid a trap and caught Mr Gupta red-handed while accepting the first installment of Rs 12.50 lakh. Mr Gupta has been booked under the Prevention of Corruption Act.