The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) in Rajasthan exposed a shocking case of graft on Friday, arresting a Public Health Engineering Department (PHED) superintending engineer in Jhalawar. The official, Vishnu Chand Goyal, was allegedly caught red-handed accepting a bribe not in cash, but in the form of a coveted Apple iPhone to fund his desired lifestyle upgrade.
The Costly Demand for a Festival Gift
According to ACB officials, the case originated from a complaint filed on January 5 by a contractor working for the Jhalawar division of PHED. The contractor, engaged in repairs of handpumps and pipelines, alleged that despite paying Rs 25,000 for registration, SE Goyal continuously harassed him and his partner by raising objections to their work.
The situation escalated after the festive season of Diwali. The bureau stated that Goyal was upset because the complainant had not sent him any gifts. The engineer then threatened to label the contractor's labour bills as 'fake' and debar his firm unless his "festival expectations" were met. His specific demand? A new Apple iPhone.
From iPhone 16 Pro to a Compromising Deal
Investigations revealed that Goyal's initial demand was for a high-end iPhone 16 Pro worth around Rs 1.3 lakh. During the verification of the complaint, ACB found that this demand had increased to the latest Pro model, valued at up to Rs 1.5 lakh. The iPhone was to be the price for clearing the contractor's pending bills and ending the harassment.
On Friday, a trap was laid. The complainant arrived at the PHED office with an iPhone XR worth Rs 84,000, with a bill prepared in the accused's name as instructed. The ACB team moved in and arrested Vishnu Chand Goyal the moment he accepted the smartphone. The bureau reported that Goyal later confessed the bribe was intended to "upgrade his lifestyle."
Wealth Uncovered and Legal Action
Following the arrest, searches at Goyal's residence yielded assets far beyond his known sources of income. Officials recovered over Rs 4 lakh in cash, seven kilograms of silver, and property deeds for at least five plots in Jaipur and one each in Kota and Jodhpur.
The ACB confirmed that a case will be registered against the superintending engineer under the stringent Prevention of Corruption Act. This case highlights a modern twist on corruption, where luxury gadgets have become a preferred medium for illicit demands.
