Prayagraj Police Inspector Apprehended in Bribery Sting Operation
In a significant anti-corruption operation, an inspector stationed at Bara police station in Prayagraj was caught red-handed while allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs75,000 within his office premises on Wednesday afternoon. The accused officer, identified as inspector Vinod Kumar Sonkar, was reportedly demanding the substantial sum from a complainant in exchange for filing a final report in an ongoing criminal case.
Complaint Triggers Elaborate Anti-Corruption Trap
The incident unfolded when the complainant, Santosh Kumar Dubey, a resident of Lukmanpur in the Suriyawan thana area of Bhadohi district, approached the anti-corruption department with serious allegations. Dubey claimed that inspector Sonkar had explicitly sought Rs75,000 to officially close the criminal case registered against him at Bara police station.
Following this formal complaint, authorities conducted a preliminary inquiry that reportedly revealed substantial irregularities in the officer's professional conduct. This investigation prompted the anti-corruption team to organize a meticulously planned trap under the direct supervision of anti-corruption inspector Mrityunjay Kumar Mishra.
Sting Operation Executed with Precision
According to the operational details, complainant Santosh Kumar Dubey arrived at the police station around 2:40pm carrying specially marked currency notes. After a brief telephonic conversation, inspector Sonkar summoned Dubey into his private office. The anti-corruption team immediately sprang into action, apprehending the inspector the moment he accepted the bribe amount.
Legal formalities were promptly initiated on the spot, with the accused officer subsequently transported to Ghoorpur police station for comprehensive further proceedings. The entire operation demonstrated the anti-corruption department's commitment to rooting out corruption within law enforcement agencies.
Accused Officer's Professional Background
Inspector Vinod Kumar Sonkar, originally from Sarnath in Varanasi, received his promotion from sub-inspector to inspector rank back in 2012. His career trajectory includes previous postings as in-charge of both Khuldabad and Shahganj police stations within Prayagraj. Reports indicate he was removed from his position at Shahganj police station following multiple complaints before being reassigned to police lines.
Approximately six months prior to this incident, Sonkar was appointed as the in-charge of Bara police station, where the alleged bribery incident occurred. This recent appointment followed his temporary assignment to police lines after the previous complaints against him.
Complainant's Allegations and Case History
The complainant, Santosh Kumar Dubey, provided detailed allegations regarding his interactions with inspector Sonkar. According to his statement, he was forcibly named in the criminal case during the investigation phase. Dubey further claimed that the officer had previously accepted money to remove his name from the case records.
When inspector Sonkar repeated his demand for Rs75,000, Dubey decided to approach the anti-corruption authorities rather than comply with the illegal request. This courageous decision led directly to the sting operation that resulted in the inspector's apprehension.
Authorities have confirmed that further investigation and appropriate legal action in this matter are currently underway. The case highlights ongoing concerns about corruption within certain segments of law enforcement and demonstrates the effectiveness of properly executed anti-corruption operations when citizens come forward with credible complaints.
