Lucknow, May 15 -- Uttar Pradesh vigilance establishment (Bareilly sector) on Tuesday arrested Mahesh Singh, assistant consolidation officer at Faridpur tehsil, Bareilly, red-handed while accepting a bribe of Rs 10,000. According to officials, the accused officer had allegedly demanded a total bribe of Rs 20,000 from a complainant to consolidate several land plots (Gata numbers) under Plot No. 31 of the complainant's village into a single holding. After repeated requests from the complainant, Mahesh Singh agreed to accept the bribe in two instalments of Rs 10,000 each. The complainant lodged a formal written complaint with the superintendent of police, vigilance establishment, Bareilly sector, following which a verification was conducted. Upon confirmation of the bribery demand, a trap was laid by the vigilance team. On 14 May, Mahesh Singh was caught red-handed while accepting the second instalment of Rs 10,000 in cash at his office in Faridpur tehsil, Bareilly. He was immediately taken into custody by the vigilance team. A case has been registered against him under relevant sections of law, and further legal proceedings are underway. Authorities reiterated their commitment to acting against corruption. Citizens are encouraged to report any demands for bribes by public servants-whether gazetted, non-gazetted, or others-on the Anti-Corruption Helpline: 9454401866. HTC...