112 BMC Officials Accused in Corruption Cases Still in Service, RTI Reveals
Mumbai, 4th August 2026: A Right to Information (RTI) disclosure has revealed that 112 officials and employees of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) who have been named as accused in corruption cases are still in active service, raising serious concerns over delays in investigations and administrative action.
According to Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) records accessed through the RTI, 207 BMC officers and employees had been named as accused in corruption-related cases up to April 30, 2026. Of these, 112 continue to serve, while 68 retired before their cases reached a final verdict. Only 27 officials have been suspended, despite the allegations.
The findings have sparked concerns over accountability within one of India’s wealthiest municipal corporations, with activists questioning the slow pace of investigations and disciplinary proceedings.
Jeetendra Ghadge of The Young Whistleblowers Foundation, who highlighted the RTI findings, said the current system sends the wrong message to society. He argued that corruption cases should not be allowed to drag on until accused officials retire and called for fixed timelines for ACB investigations, prompt decisions on prosecution sanctions, and greater transparency in anti-corruption proceedings.
The RTI data shows that several corruption cases have remained pending for years, with the oldest dating back to 2005. In some instances, investigations have remained unresolved for more than two decades.
Engineering Department Most Affected
The RTI indicates that the BMC Engineering Department has the highest number of accused officials. Those named in ACB cases include:
33 Sub-Engineers
13 Assistant Engineers
13 Junior Engineers
Several Executive Engineers and other senior engineering officials
The department oversees infrastructure projects worth thousands of crores of rupees, including roads, drainage systems, public buildings, and civic works.
Corruption Allegations Across All Levels
The data also suggests that corruption allegations are not limited to senior officials. Among Class IV employees named in ACB cases are:
48 sanitation workers
24 labourers
6 supervisors (Mukadams)
6 peons
Several other field-level staff members are also under investigation, indicating that alleged corruption extends across multiple levels of the civic administration.
Delay in Prosecution Sanctions
The RTI further revealed that five proposals seeking prosecution sanction in bribery trap cases and one proposal related to a disproportionate assets case remain pending. Some of these proposals have reportedly been awaiting approval since 2024, delaying criminal proceedings against the accused.
Suspended Employees Reinstated During Covid-19
The disclosure also stated that 43 previously suspended BMC employees were reinstated during the Covid-19 pandemic to meet staffing requirements for quarantine centres and emergency services. However, the BMC declined to reveal their identities, citing exemptions under the RTI Act and the need to protect ongoing criminal and departmental inquiries.
The revelations have intensified calls for an independent inquiry by the Maharashtra government into the prolonged delays in corruption investigations and stronger mechanisms to ensure accountability within the civic administration.
