A man from Godhra, Gujarat, has been arrested for allegedly attempting to bribe a labor court judge during an ongoing legal dispute.

The accused, identified as Bapubhai Solanki, a resident of Virpur taluka in Mahisagar district, reportedly tried to offer ₹35,000 to Judge H.A. Maka of the labor court. According to reports, Solanki placed a sealed envelope containing the cash on the judge’s table in an attempt to expedite his case.

Judge Maka immediately reported the incident to the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB). A case was subsequently registered under Section 8 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, which pertains to offenses involving bribery of public servants. Solanki was arrested following the complaint.

As per India Today, Solanki had been engaged in a legal battle since 2023 after his dismissal from the Bhadar Canal Distribution Sub-Division under the Panam Yojana. Frustrated by delays in the proceedings, he allegedly resorted to this illegal measure to ensure that his case would be taken up during the next hearing, scheduled for December 12.

The judge, refusing to accept the envelope, instructed Solanki to open it, revealing the bribe money. The ACB has initiated further investigations, including appointing two government witnesses to seize the money and retrieving CCTV footage from the labor court.

This incident underscores the vigilance required in combating corruption within judicial processes.