In a developing story, the Ghaziabad Municipal Corporation (GMC) has launched an investigation into allegations of bribery brought forth by a para-athlete named Deepak. The athlete claims that his shop in Vaishali was demolished as a consequence of his refusal to pay Rs 5,000 to a supervisor.
Deepak, a 35-year-old para-athlete with a 100% disability, specializes in discus throw and actively participates in national-level events. He asserts that he established the kiosk in 2021 with a Rs 2 lakh loan obtained under the Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana.
According to Deepak, the supervisor in question has been allegedly accepting Rs 1,500 monthly bribes from stall owners and Rs 5,000 from other traders for the past three years. However, when the demanded amount abruptly increased to Rs 5,000 for Deepak, he took a stand and refused to comply.
The repercussions of his refusal were swift – on January 8, Deepak’s kiosk, where he sold stationery, was demolished. Despite having to participate in a sports event in Goa the very next day, Deepak found it challenging to focus, as the loss of his sole source of income weighed heavily on his mind.
Taking the matter into his own hands, Deepak approached municipal commissioner Vikramaditya Singh Malik, who promptly ordered an inquiry into the bribery allegations. It is worth noting that Malik clarified the location of Deepak’s kiosk, stating that it was situated on a green belt.
As the investigation unfolds, attention is drawn to the complex interplay between alleged corruption and the impact on the livelihood of a determined para-athlete. The GMC’s scrutiny aims to shed light on the truth behind these serious accusations, ensuring justice prevails in this unfortunate incident in Ghaziabad.
