The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) in Mumbai executed a successful trap operation on Wednesday, apprehending a police constable and a paan shopkeeper for their alleged involvement in demanding and accepting bribes from a local businessman. This incident highlights ongoing concerns about corruption within law enforcement agencies in the city.
Details of the Arrest and Accused Individuals
In a meticulously planned operation, the ACB caught the accused red-handed while they were accepting illegal gratification. The arrested individuals have been identified as Police Constable Rajendra Vayhare, aged 35, and Paan Shopkeeper Rajsingh Shivkumar, aged 31. Another police constable involved in the case, Rajendra Ambilwad, aged 37, managed to evade capture and is currently absconding.
All three accused have been formally charged under the stringent provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act. The ACB has seized crucial evidence, including mobile phones and cash amounting to Rs 35,000, from the scene. Additionally, searches are being conducted at the residences of the accused to gather further evidence and uncover any additional illicit activities.
Background of the Complaint and Bribery Demands
The case originated from a complaint filed by a 35-year-old businessman who operates a venture selling imported cigarettes. According to the complainant, on January 16, the two police constables from the V.P. Marg Police Station summoned him to the Gol Deval temple. There, they accused him of selling imported cigarettes without the necessary license and threatened to implicate him in a criminal case unless he paid them illegal gratification.
The policemen initially demanded a substantial bribe of Rs 40,000 as a goodwill amount, along with an ongoing monthly payment of Rs 10,000. After some negotiations, the demand was reduced to Rs 20,000 as the initial goodwill payment, with the monthly amount remaining unchanged. Unwilling to succumb to this extortion, the businessman courageously approached the ACB on January 19 to report the incident.
Execution of the ACB Trap Operation
Following a thorough verification process, the ACB set up a trap on Tuesday to catch the accused in the act. During the operation, paan shopkeeper Shivkumar was arrested while accepting the bribe money on behalf of the police constables. However, Constable Ambilwad, upon learning about the trap, fled from the scene, leaving authorities to pursue him.
This case underscores the persistent challenges of corruption within public institutions and the critical role of agencies like the ACB in combating such malpractices. The ongoing investigations aim to ensure that all individuals involved are brought to justice, reinforcing the commitment to integrity and transparency in governance.
