Dr Venkatesh Mauwar, the superintendent of Bansdih Community Health Centre (CHC) in Ballia district, died at SPG Divisional Hospital in Varanasi on Monday, just days after being arrested by a vigilance team for allegedly accepting a bribe of ₹20,000.
Health Deteriorated in Custody
According to DIG (Prisons) Rajesh Srivastava, Dr Mauwar had been suffering from fever, hypertension and anxiety since his arrest and subsequent imprisonment on 12 June.
His condition reportedly worsened on Monday when his wife and other relatives visited him in jail.
Given the severity of his symptoms, doctors at the jail hospital referred him to SPG Divisional Hospital, where he died during treatment. Authorities are proceeding with legal formalities, including a post-mortem examination.
Caught Accepting Bribe
Dr Mauwar was arrested on 12 June by a 14-member vigilance team from Varanasi.
Officials caught him red-handed while accepting ₹20,000 from Ajay Tiwari, an operator of a Jan Aushadhi Kendra at the Bansdih CHC.
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Inspector Dharmendra Tiwari, who led the vigilance operation, confirmed that the arrest followed a detailed plan based on Tiwari’s complaint.
The complainant alleged that Dr Mauwar had demanded monthly bribes of ₹20,000 in exchange for facilitating approval letters required to run the government-backed pharmacy outlet.
Sting Operation Executed
In the weeks leading up to the arrest, Tiwari had already paid several instalments but refused to continue due to declining sales. Under pressure from Dr Mauwar, he approached the vigilance team.
The vigilance team planned a sting operation, and Tiwari handed over chemically coated currency notes to the superintendent during the trap.
The moment Dr Mauwar, a native of Aurangabad in Bihar, accepted the bribe, officials apprehended him on the spot.
After his arrest, officials at the vigilance sector office in Varanasi initiated legal proceedings.
Investigation Continues
Officials confirmed that further investigation into the bribery allegations is ongoing.
Despite his death, the case remains open, with the focus now on potential systemic corruption within the CHC system.
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