Gujarat ACB Arrests CID Inspector, Constable In ₹30 Lakh Bribery Case

A roadside trap near Gandhinagar led to the arrest of two law enforcement officers allegedly involved in a ₹30 lakh bribery scheme, highlighting concerns over corruption within police ranks.

A Trap on a Quiet Road

The Gujarat Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) set up the operation following a complaint from a party involved in an ongoing call-centre investigation. Constable Vipul Desai was caught red-handed while accepting the cash, with his superior, Inspector Petha Patel, arrested shortly thereafter. The exchange reportedly occurred near Swagat City Mall in Sargasan, a site linked to the Hari Group.

Officials stated that the officers allegedly demanded the bribe as a quid pro quo to avoid legal action against the complainant.

Allegations Against the Investigators

Both officers serve in the Gandhinagar-based CID Crime unit, typically responsible for sensitive and complex investigations. The ACB confirmed that procedural verification of the complaint preceded the trap, a standard method in corruption cases to establish demand and acceptance of illegal gratification.

Custody, Court, and Legal Proceedings

The arrested officers are scheduled to be produced in court, where the ACB will seek their remand for further interrogation. Investigators aim to uncover the precise method of solicitation, potential intermediaries, and whether similar bribe demands were made in prior cases.

Scrutiny Beyond the Cash Exchange

Authorities have indicated that the probe will extend to examining the officers’ assets and property, a step often used to determine whether the misconduct is isolated or part of a larger pattern of corruption. The ACB’s investigation may shed light on systemic vulnerabilities within enforcement agencies tasked with upholding the law.