Controversial district sports officer caught taking Rs 1.5 lakh bribe

Parbhani

District Sports Officer Kavita Subhash Navande and Sports Officer Nanaksingh Mahasingh Bassi were caught red-handed while accepting a bribe of Rs 1.5 lakh in their office. The duo had allegedly demanded Rs 2.5 lakh to clear pending bills related to sports competitions held in 2024 and the construction of a swimming pool at the sports academy. The complainant had already paid Rs 1 lakh earlier before reporting the matter to the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB).

The Bribery Trap

The complainant had outstanding payments of Rs 5 lakh for sports events and Rs 90 lakh for the swimming pool project. On March 3, 2025, they approached Navande and Bassi for bill clearance. At this meeting, Navande allegedly demanded Rs 2 lakh for herself and Rs 50,000 for Bassi. Concerned about potential objections delaying the process, the complainant paid Rs 1 lakh to Navande on March 13 but later decided to report the matter to the ACB.

On March 24, the ACB attempted to verify the complaint but found both officers unavailable. The next day, Navande assured the complainant that Bassi would facilitate the transaction. Acting on this, officials set up a sting operation. On March 27, Bassi requested Rs 50,000 for himself and Rs 1 lakh for Navande. After confirming their intent to accept the sum, the ACB conducted a raid, catching both officials in the act. A case has been registered at New Mondha Police Station.

Cash seized during searches

During a search, Navande’s purse was found containing Rs 1 lakh in bribe money, an additional Rs 6,000, and a mobile phone. Bassi was found with Rs 50,000 in bribe money, along with Rs 1,850 in cash and his phone.

A subsequent raid on Navande’s Parbhani residence uncovered Rs 1.05 lakh in cash. Investigations are ongoing at her properties in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar and Pune, while Bassi’s home in Nanded is also under scrutiny.

A history of controversy

Navande has faced multiple disciplinary actions. In 2020, a protest in Ahilyanagar led to her transfer. She was also suspended once in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, with sources indicating prior suspensions as well.

Viral audio clip and legislative debate

A leaked audio clip last week exposed Navande demanding Rs 80,000 from an office employee to clear a sports event bill. The recording also implicated Bassi as a middleman. The scandal reached the state legislature, where Parbhani MLA Rahul Patil and Pathri MLA Rajesh Witekar condemned Navande’s alleged corruption, stating it had severely harmed the sports sector.

Bassi’s previous corruption case

Bassi is already under investigation in a separate bribery case filed in 2017 at Shivajinagar police station in Beed (Case No. 534/2017). The trial is ongoing.

Mobile phones under investigation

Both accused officers’ mobile phones have been seized for further forensic analysis, the ACB confirmed.