Rajasthan ACB arrests PWD engineer, 2 contractors in ₹4.04 lakh bribe trap in Bhilwara
Synopsis
In an intelligence-driven trap at Bhilwara's Collectorate, Rajasthan's ACB caught a PWD Executive Engineer and two contractors red-handed allegedly exchanging ₹4.04 lakh in bribes — money that was reportedly meant for at least one more senior official still under investigation.
Key Takeaways
Rajasthan ACB arrested PWD Executive Engineer Shahzad Mohammad and contractors Moduram Dhakad and Banwarilal on 6 May 2025 in Bhilwara .
Cash worth ₹4,04,000 was recovered from the accused during a trap operation at the Collectorate premises .
The bribe was allegedly meant to facilitate clearance of contractor payments under the PWD ; investigators say another senior official was also a recipient.
A case has been registered under the Prevention of Corruption Act ; searches at the accused's premises are ongoing.
The operation was supervised by DGP (ACB) Govind Gupta , ADG Smita Srivastava , and IG S.
The Rajasthan Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) arrested a Public Works Department (PWD) Executive Engineer and two contractors on Tuesday, 6 May during a trap operation in Bhilwara, recovering ₹4,04,000 in cash allegedly exchanged as a bribe at the Collectorate premises. The operation marks one of the more significant anti-graft actions in Rajasthan's PWD in recent months.
Who Was Arrested and Where
The accused Executive Engineer, Shahzad Mohammad, posted at the PWD office in Shahpura, was apprehended along with contractors Moduram Dhakad and Banwarilal. The arrests were carried out by the ACB's Bhilwara-I unit while the bribe money was reportedly being exchanged at the Collectorate.
The trap operation was led by Deputy Superintendent of Police Paras Mal of the Bhilwara-I unit, under the supervision of DIG (ACB Ajmer Range) Narayan Togas. Senior officers, including Additional Director General Smita Srivastava and Inspector General S. Parimala, oversaw the overall operation.
What the Bribe Was For
According to ACB officials, the bribe was allegedly collected from the contractors as a quid pro quo for clearing and facilitating payments related to works executed under the department. Investigators stated that the amount was intended not only for the Executive Engineer but also for another senior official, whose identity has not yet been disclosed.
The recovered cash of ₹4,04,000 was found in the possession of the accused officer during the raid.
How the Operation Unfolded
Director General of Police (ACB) Govind Gupta said the action followed specific intelligence inputs regarding ongoing corrupt practices within the PWD. Based on these inputs, the ACB placed the suspects under surveillance, which reportedly confirmed the alleged irregularities before the trap was sprung.
Notably, the operation was pre-planned and intelligence-driven, suggesting the bureau had been tracking the alleged corruption for a period before the arrests.
Legal Action and Ongoing Investigation
The ACB has registered a case under the Prevention of Corruption Act and initiated further investigation. Searches are currently underway at residential and other premises linked to the accused to trace additional evidence and assets. Officials confirmed that the accused are being questioned and that further legal action will follow based on the findings.
This action underscores the ACB's continued crackdown on corruption in government departments across Rajasthan — with the bureau signalling that PWD officials remain under active scrutiny.
Point of View
Surveillance, trap — but the detail that the bribe was destined for at least one more senior official points to a potentially wider network within Rajasthan's PWD. Corruption in public works departments is rarely a solo enterprise; it typically runs along a chain of approvals, and the contractors' willingness to pay suggests the system had normalised the practice. The real measure of this operation's impact will not be the three arrests made, but whether the investigation climbs the chain and whether asset searches yield disproportionate wealth beyond the recovered cash.
NationPress
10 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was arrested by the Rajasthan ACB in the Bhilwara bribe case?
The ACB arrested PWD Executive Engineer Shahzad Mohammad, posted at Shahpura, along with contractors Moduram Dhakad and Banwarilal on 6 May 2025. The arrests were made at the Bhilwara Collectorate premises during a trap operation.
How much bribe money was recovered in the Bhilwara ACB operation?
ACB officials recovered ₹4,04,000 in cash from the possession of the accused Executive Engineer during the trap. Investigators said the amount was intended for the engineer as well as another senior official.
Why was the bribe allegedly paid?
According to ACB officials, the bribe was allegedly paid by the contractors as a quid pro quo for clearing and facilitating payments related to works executed under the PWD. Such payments are commonly linked to contractor bill approvals in government departments.
What legal action has been taken after the Bhilwara PWD arrest?
The ACB has registered a case under the Prevention of Corruption Act. Searches are underway at the residential and other premises of the accused, and further legal action will follow based on the investigation's findings.
Who supervised the ACB trap operation in Bhilwara?
The operation was led by DSP Paras Mal of the Bhilwara-I unit under DIG (ACB Ajmer Range) Narayan Togas. Overall supervision was provided by ADG Smita Srivastava, IG S. Parimala, and DGP (ACB) Govind Gupta.
