Mumbai: The Maharashtra police have topped the corruption chart in the state with 81 cases registered against them in 2008,followed by Revenue Department and civic bodies at second and third place respectively.

According to the figures released by Anti-Corruption Bureau, 103 policemen were caught red-handed by the ACB while accepting bribe. "Similarly, 99 Revenue Department employees were caught in 65 traps laid by the ACB.

Also, 23 cases have been registered against municipal corporations," Additional Superintendent of Police (ACB) Sanjay Parande told PTI. In 2007,89 cases were registered against the police -- eight less than in 2008. ]

Most of those arrested on the charges of corruption in the police department are class III employees. 85 policemen of class III (below sub-inspector), six of class II (assistant police inspectors) and five of class I (above police inspectors) were caught red-handed while accepting bribe.

"Class III employees of any department usually interact with people. If they demand anything to clear the documents or any other work, people complain to us about them," Parande said.

"Just because there are more cases against the police, we can not say that they are more corrupt. There are several other departments where the size of corruption is huge but people do not come forward and complain," he said.

Of the 99 Revenue Department employees arrested on corruption charges last year in 65 cases, 79 were class III employees, three class II and two class I officers.

Source : PTI