Judge Accused of Taking ₹15 Lakh Bribe for Favorable Verdict in Mumbai Land Case

Mumbai (The Uttam Hindu): A shocking corruption case has emerged from Mumbai, where a court clerk posted at the Mazgaon Civil Court was arrested for allegedly demanding a ₹15 lakh bribe in exchange for securing a favorable judgment in a land dispute case. The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) carried out the operation.

In a major twist, Additional Sessions Judge Ejazuddin Salauddin Kazi has also been named as the prime accused (wanted) in the case. According to ACB officials, this is the first instance in recent years where an Additional Sessions Judge has been booked under the Prevention of Corruption Act. The arrested clerk has been identified as Chandrakant Vasudev, who was taken into custody on Tuesday.

According to the ACB report, the complainant’s wife had filed a petition in the Bombay High Court against the illegal occupation of her company’s land. Initially, the judge allegedly demanded ₹25 lakh, which was later negotiated down to ₹15 lakh. Out of the total, ₹10 lakh was meant for Vasudev and ₹15 lakh for Judge Kazi.

Clerk Caught Demanding Bribe Over Calls

In 2016, the Bombay High Court had ordered a stay on third-party rights over the disputed property. Since the land value was under ₹10 crore, the case was transferred to the Mazgaon Civil Sessions Court. On September 9, 2025, Vasudev allegedly called the complainant and later met him at a café in Chembur, demanding ₹25 lakh. When the complainant refused to pay the full amount, Vasudev continued to call and pressure him for payment. The complainant then filed a complaint with the ACB on November 10.

Acting swiftly, the ACB set up a trap operation. Following their instructions, the complainant agreed to pay ₹15 lakh to Vasudev at the court premises. Upon receiving the money, Vasudev informed the judge about the payment, after which ACB officers immediately arrested him. He has been remanded to police custody for five days, while Judge Kazi remains absconding.