In a significant crackdown on corruption within the police force, the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) in Nanded apprehended two police officers on Wednesday. The officials were caught in the act of allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs 1 lakh related to criminal cases under their investigation at the Airport police station in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar.
The Accused Officers and the Initial Complaint
The arrested individuals have been identified as Police Sub-Inspector Govind Balajirao Jadhav (57) and Constable Vaijnath Sambhaji Tamboli (43). Both were serving at the Airport police station. The operation stemmed from a complaint filed by a 25-year-old woman on December 22. She alleged that PSI Jadhav, who was investigating two separate cases involving her family members, had demanded a total bribe of Rs 3 lakh.
The first case was registered against her brother and mother based on a complaint by her husband, involving various sections of the new Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The second case was filed by her mother-in-law against her parents, also under specific sections of the BNS, 2023. Jadhav was the investigating officer for both matters.
The Bribe Demand and ACB's Trap
According to the complainant, Jadhav demanded Rs 1.5 lakh to expedite the filing of the charge sheet in the case against her brother. He allegedly asked for another Rs 1.5 lakh to provide "help" in the case against her parents. The ACB conducted a verification on December 23, during which Jadhav reportedly reiterated his demand and agreed to accept an initial amount of Rs 1 lakh.
The bureau also found that Constable Tamboli had abetted and encouraged this illegal demand. Subsequently, the ACB laid a trap on the same day. The operation culminated at the complainant's father's residence in Brahmasinghnagar, located behind a beer bar in the city. Jadhav was caught red-handed accepting the marked currency of Rs 1 lakh in the presence of official panch witnesses.
Recoveries and Legal Action
During the search following the arrest, authorities recovered a government-issued revolver with 10 cartridges and a cellphone from PSI Jadhav. Constable Tamboli was found in possession of another mobile phone. The ACB has initiated the process to register a formal case under sections 7 and 12 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 at the very same Airport police station where the accused were posted.
Both accused were promptly arrested. As of Friday evening, searches were ongoing at their respective residences. This case highlights the ongoing vigilance of the Anti-Corruption Bureau in Maharashtra and serves as a stern warning against misconduct within law enforcement agencies.
