Gujarat ACB traps two Vadodara cops for ₹10,000 bribe in sting operation
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) of Gujarat caught two police officials red-handed in Vadodara on 27 June for allegedly accepting a bribe of ₹10,000 from a complainant. The accused — Police Sub-Inspector (PSI) Mallika Parmar of Vishwamitra Police Chowki and Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Jaykishan Gameti of the Surveillance Squad — were apprehended during a planned trap operation, with the entire bribe amount recovered on the spot.
How the Trap Was Laid
According to ACB officials, a 'vigilant citizen' approached the bureau after alleging that a case registered at Manjalpur Police Station on 1 June was being investigated by PSI Parmar. The complainant alleged that Parmar demanded ₹25,000 to avoid harassment and expedite bail proceedings. After negotiation, the demand was reportedly reduced to ₹10,000, which was allegedly to be routed through ASI Gameti.
The ACB laid a trap near Manjalpur Police Station, in front of 'Bhavna Xerox' on the main road. During the operation, ASI Gameti allegedly accepted the ₹10,000 on behalf of PSI Parmar and placed the cash on the dashboard of a car. Both officials were subsequently apprehended, and the full amount was recovered.
Legal Proceedings Underway
The ACB confirmed that the operation followed a formal complaint and a verification process before the trap was executed. Further legal proceedings under the Prevention of Corruption Act are now underway against both officials.
A Day After Another ACB Action in Ahmedabad
The Vadodara arrests come just a day after the ACB conducted a separate sting at Bopal Police Station in Ahmedabad on 26 June, trapping a PSI and a head constable in a bribery case involving ₹5 lakh. In that case, the accused had initially demanded ₹10 lakh before settling for half the amount. The head constable was caught red-handed accepting the money; the PSI was not present at the spot but was named in the case, according to officials.
Pattern of Police Corruption in Gujarat
The back-to-back ACB operations in two major Gujarat cities within 24 hours underscore a persistent pattern of alleged corruption within the state's lower police ranks. Notably, both cases involved demands tied to active investigations — a form of alleged coercion that critics argue exploits the vulnerability of complainants already engaged with the legal system. The ACB's increased trap activity signals a push to deter such conduct, though accountability advocates argue that systemic reforms within police stations are equally necessary.