Kolhapur ACB Takes Action Against Police Constables in Bribery Case
The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) in Kolhapur has registered a case against two police constables from the Gokul Shiraon police station. The officers are accused of demanding a substantial bribe of Rs 7 lakh from an individual to prevent the registration of a fraud case against him.
Details of the Alleged Bribery Scheme
According to ACB officials, the incident began when a fraud complaint was filed at the Gokul Shiraon police station on January 16. One of the accused constables summoned the complainant to the station for questioning. Subsequently, another constable contacted the suspect and drafted a letter to the Assistant Police Inspector (API) in charge, urging against registering the case.
The initial bribe demand was set at Rs 7 lakh, which was later negotiated down to Rs 4 lakh. The accused gave the complainant a two-day deadline to deliver the payment.
ACB Investigation and Failed Trap Operation
The suspect immediately reported the extortion attempt to the ACB on the same day. After verifying the complaint, the ACB planned a trap operation to apprehend the constables while accepting the bribe. However, the accused did not accept the money during the planned sting, leading the ACB to proceed with filing a formal case based on the verified demand for bribes.
Deputy Superintendent of ACB, Vaishnavi Patil, stated, "A case was registered against the two on Monday after the demand for a bribe was thoroughly verified. Our investigation is ongoing to determine if the Assistant Police Inspector was involved in this corruption scheme."
Accused Constables Abscond After Case Registration
Following the registration of the case, an ACB team led by Inspector Rajendra Sanap arrived at the Gokul Shiraon police station to arrest the accused constables. Unfortunately, both individuals had already fled the premises, and they remain at large as the search continues.
The ACB officer emphasized, "These police constables are absconding after the case was registered against them. We are actively pursuing all leads to locate and apprehend them."
Broader Implications and Ongoing Probe
This case highlights significant concerns regarding police integrity and corruption within law enforcement agencies. The ACB's swift response underscores its commitment to tackling such misconduct, but the absconding of the accused poses challenges for immediate resolution.
The investigation is focused on:
- Verifying the involvement of the Assistant Police Inspector
- Tracking down the two absconding constables
- Examining any potential links to other corruption cases
- Ensuring justice for the complainant who faced extortion
As the probe advances, the ACB has urged the public to report any similar incidents of corruption, reinforcing the importance of transparency and accountability in policing.
