Bhuj, July 7 (IANS) A police sub-inspector posted at Vayor Police Station in Gujarat’s West Kutch district has been booked by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) for allegedly demanding a bribe of Rs 50,000 from a complainant and accepting Rs 40,000 before fleeing during a trap operation, officials said on Tuesday.

The accused has been identified as Indravijaysinh Gohil, a Class III Police Sub-Inspector posted at Vayor Police Station in Bhuj. The alleged offence took place on Monday near the gate of Gayatri Temple in Bhuj.

The complainant, described by the ACB as a vigilant citizen, was facing a criminal case registered at Vayor Police Station. Investigators said the officer allegedly demanded Rs 50,000 as an illegal payment in return for not harassing the complainant and for allowing the complainant’s factory to continue operating.

“Unwilling to pay the alleged bribe, the complainant contacted the ACB through its toll-free helpline 1064 and later lodged a formal complaint at the bureau’s Gandhidham office,” officials said.

Based on the complaint, the ACB organised a trap. During the operation, the accused allegedly held discussions with the complainant and, following negotiations, accepted Rs 40,000 instead of the originally demanded Rs 50,000.

The bureau said the officer subsequently became suspicious, took possession of the Rs 40,000 allegedly accepted from the complainant and fled from the spot.

An offence has been registered against him under the provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act, and further investigation is underway.

The trap was conducted by Police Inspector J.B. Chaudhary of the Kutch (East) ACB Police Station at Gandhidham along with the ACB team.

The Gujarat Anti-Corruption Bureau regularly conducts trap operations based on complaints received through its toll-free helpline and regional units across the state as part of its mandate to investigate corruption involving public servants.

The latest action follows several other ACB operations in Gujarat in recent months.

In April, the ACB arrested two Central GST officials posted at Nadiad after they were allegedly caught accepting the first instalment of a bribe that investigators said formed part of a Rs 55 lakh demand for releasing a seized transport vehicle.

–IANS

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