The Gujarat Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) on Friday, 26 June trapped a serving police sub-inspector and a head constable attached to Bopal Police Station in Ahmedabad Rural for allegedly demanding and accepting a ₹5 lakh bribe to suppress criminal proceedings in an ongoing complaint. Both officers have been booked under the Prevention of Corruption Act, and the entire bribe amount has been recovered.

How the Trap Was Laid

The operation was triggered after a self-described vigilant citizen approached the ACB, alleging that officers probing a complaint filed against him at Bopal Police Station had demanded money to ensure no criminal case was registered. According to the bureau, the accused officers initially sought ₹10 lakh, which was reportedly negotiated down to ₹5 lakh before being finalised.

The Kheda ACB team subsequently laid a trap with independent panch witnesses. During the operation, head constable Dilipkumar Bhoi allegedly accepted the ₹5 lakh in cash from the complainant and immediately contacted sub-inspector Prital Chaudhary via mobile phone on speaker mode to inform her the money had been received. She allegedly conveyed her approval over the call.

Bhoi was caught on the spot with the cash. Chaudhary was not present at the location at the time of the arrest. Both have since been booked under the relevant provisions of the corruption law.

Part of a Wider Pattern of ACB Action

This case is among a series of recent ACB operations targeting police personnel across Gujarat. In a separate incident in Ahmedabad Rural, an assistant sub-inspector and two Gram Rakshak Dal members were trapped for allegedly accepting a ₹30,000 bribe from a cosmetics manufacturer after initially demanding a higher sum. All three were caught during the staged operation, and the cash was recovered in full.

In another case, a constable posted at Sola High Court Police Station and his alleged middleman were booked for accepting ₹50,000 near Sarkhej Circle. The constable was reportedly absconding at the time, while his aide was caught red-handed. Additionally, a sub-inspector from Khambhat City was trapped for allegedly demanding ₹30,000 for a favourable report in a land-related matter, with the ACB recovering the full amount during the operation.

What the Bureau Has Said

The ACB has reiterated that citizens can report corruption complaints through its dedicated helpline, framing these operations as part of an ongoing statewide anti-corruption drive. The clustering of multiple police bribery cases within a short window suggests heightened surveillance of law enforcement personnel across the state.

What Happens Next

Both Dilipkumar Bhoi and Prital Chaudhary face prosecution under the Prevention of Corruption Act. The ACB is expected to pursue further investigation to determine whether the bribery network extended beyond the two named officers. The sub-inspector's absence from the scene at the time of the trap is likely to be a key point of inquiry in the proceedings ahead.