2 profs caught red-handed taking bribe to increase BPEd marks

Bhandara: Two professors teaching at colleges affiliated to RTM Nagpur University were caught red-handed here on Saturday while accepting Rs30,000 bribe to increase marks of students appearing for practical exams of physical education course. The two were the external examiners deputed by the university for the practical examination.
Nagpur University is currently conducting practical exams of the physical education course.Two professors had been named as external examiners for the practical examination at the National Institute of Fire Disaster and Environment Management at Tumsar. Prof Rajendra Pandurang Bahale, 60, of Ishvar Deshmukh College of Physical Education, Nagpur, and Prof Hitesh Dahyabhai Rathod, 42, Saket College of Physical Education, Gondia, had come for the practical examination to be held on February 5 and 6, as part of the exams that had begun on January 27.
The university appointed panel of examiners was headed by Rajendra Bahale while Hitesh Rathod and four others examiners were also part of it. They started conducting practical examination of students of the physical education college at Tumsar on February 5. At the end of the day’s examinations, the two accused told the management of the college that their students appearing in the practical examination would not pass as they are below the standard.
The two professors told the management that if they wanted their students to pass, they would have to pay Rs1,000 per student, so that their marks will be increased. The two accused thus demanded Rs75,000 to ensure all 75 students appearing for examination from the college pass the practical exam. The management then entered into a deal with the two professors, who agreed to settle for Rs30,000 to increase marks of all 75 students.
However, the management lodged a complaint in the office of DySP ACB Bhandara, which immediately launched an investigation. After verifying the facts, the ACB laid a trap on February 6 at Tumsar. Rajendra Bahale and Hitesh Rathod were caught red-handed while accepting a bribe of Rs30,000 by sleuths of ACB Bhandara.
Offences under sections 7, 12, 13(1)(D) and 13(2) of Prevention of Corruption Act 1988 have been registered. Both the professors have been arrested.