Anti-Corruption Bureau Nabs Two Police Officials in Koriya Bribery Sting Operation
The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) in Raipur has made significant arrests in two separate corruption cases, highlighting ongoing efforts to combat graft in the region. In a major development, the ACB apprehended two police officials from Koriya district in a bribery case after catching one of them red-handed accepting illicit money.
Details of the Police Bribery Case
According to official statements, the incident originated when complainant Satyendra Kumar Prajapati approached local police authorities after a tragic incident where a laborer's child drowned in a water-filled pit during construction work at his residence. The case was under formal inquiry when, allegedly, an assistant sub-inspector demanded Rs 50,000 from Prajapati to dilute the legal proceedings and settle the matter favorably.
After thorough verification procedures, the accused official reportedly agreed to accept a reduced amount of Rs 25,000. The complainant, demonstrating civic responsibility, subsequently reported the extortion attempt to the Anti-Corruption Bureau, which immediately initiated a trap operation.
On February 24, during the carefully orchestrated sting operation, sub-inspector Abdul Munaf was caught in the act of accepting the bribe amount of Rs 25,000. Following his apprehension, assistant sub-inspector Guru Prasad Yadav was also arrested for his alleged role in initially demanding the bribe money. Both accused police officials have been formally booked under the stringent provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act, with legal proceedings currently underway.
Breakthrough in Coal Levy Scam Investigation
In a parallel development demonstrating the ACB's widening anti-corruption net, investigators have arrested a key accused who had been evading authorities for nearly two and a half years in connection with the high-profile coal levy 'scam'. The accused, identified as Narayan Sahu, was taken into custody in relation to Crime No. 03/2024 after an extensive manhunt.
ACB officials revealed that Sahu was a close associate of prime accused Suryakant Tiwari and played a crucial role in the illegal operations. Investigators believe he was actively involved in collecting coal levy amounts and systematically transferring money through various channels linked to the criminal syndicate.
During the investigation, authorities discovered that properties had allegedly been purchased in Sahu's name using funds connected to the illegal levy operations. Despite sustained efforts by multiple agencies to trace him over the past few years, Sahu had successfully remained at large until his recent capture.
The court had previously issued a non-bailable warrant against the accused. Following his arrest, Sahu has been remanded to police custody for detailed interrogation regarding the collection of levy money, complex financial transactions, and properties acquired in his name through allegedly illicit means.
These twin arrests represent significant victories for the Anti-Corruption Bureau in its ongoing campaign against corruption at multiple levels within the system. The cases underscore the challenges of combating graft while demonstrating law enforcement's commitment to pursuing both low-level bribery attempts and large-scale financial scams with equal determination.
