Udaipur ACB Arrests Police Officer and Constable in Major Bribery Sting Operation
In a significant crackdown on corruption within law enforcement, the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) in Udaipur executed a meticulously planned operation on Sunday, resulting in the arrest of two police personnel. The arrested individuals are Nirmal Kumar Khatri, the station house officer (SHO) of Mandwa police station, and constable Bhalaram. Both were apprehended red-handed while accepting a bribe amounting to Rs 8 lakh within the premises of the police station itself.
Details of the Bribery Scheme and ACB Trap
According to official statements released by the ACB, the bribe was allegedly demanded as part of a scheme to shield four individuals from being named as accused in a case registered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. The SHO had reportedly demanded Rs 5 lakh from each of the four persons, bringing the total illicit demand to a staggering Rs 20 lakh.
ACB Director General Govind Gupta elaborated on the case, stating, "A formal complaint was received alleging that a bribe was being solicited to prevent the implication of certain individuals in a case at Mandwa police station. Our investigation revealed that the SHO demanded Rs 5 lakh each from four people, totaling Rs 20 lakh." The complainant faced threats of being falsely implicated as an accused if the demanded money was not paid, prompting the ACB to intervene.
Following thorough verification of the allegations, a specialized ACB team, under the direct supervision of Deputy Inspector General Rameshwar Singh and led by Udaipur ACB station officer Sonu Shekhawat, laid an elaborate trap. The operation culminated in the successful arrest of both Khatri and Bhalaram as they accepted the partial bribe payment of Rs 8 lakh.
Legal Proceedings and Ongoing Investigation
A formal case has been registered against the arrested SHO and constable under the stringent provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act. The ACB has confirmed that further investigation is actively underway to uncover any additional details or potential accomplices involved in this corruption scandal.
This incident highlights the ongoing challenges of integrity within some segments of law enforcement and underscores the ACB's commitment to rooting out corruption. The arrest of serving police officers in such a brazen act of bribery has sent shockwaves through the local community and law enforcement circles in Udaipur.
