Gujarat ACB Traps CID Officers in ₹30 Lakh Bribery Case

Gandhinagar: A roadside meeting near Gujarat’s capital turned into an anti-corruption sting after officials caught a CID Crime constable accepting ₹30 lakh in cash, allegedly demanded as a bribe to derail a criminal investigation.

The Gujarat Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) arrested Constable Vipul Desai and CID Crime Inspector Petha Patel after laying a trap based on a complaint filed by an accused in an ongoing call-centre fraud case. Investigators allege the officers sought the money in exchange for not pursuing legal action.

A Trap Set on the City’s Edge

According to ACB officials, the exchange was planned at a location near Swagat City Mall in the Sargasan area, on the outskirts of Gandhinagar. After verifying the complaint and documenting the alleged demand, the bureau authorised a formal trap.

Constable Desai was caught red-handed with ₹30 lakh in cash during the exchange. Inspector Patel was arrested shortly thereafter. Officials said the operation followed established anti-corruption protocols to establish both demand and acceptance of illegal gratification.

Serious Allegations Against Crime Branch Officers

Both accused were attached to the CID Crime unit, which typically handles sensitive investigations. Authorities said the alleged demand raised serious concerns about misuse of investigative authority to extract financial benefits.

Such cases often expand beyond the initial bribe transaction, especially when financial conduct comes under scrutiny. Investigators are expected to analyse bank records, assets and past case handling — a process similar to forensic financial reviews conducted in auditing services in india, where inconsistencies between income, assets and official duties are examined.

Custody and Further Probe Likely

The arrested officers are expected to be produced before a court, where the ACB is likely to seek custodial remand. Officials said questioning will focus on how the demand was communicated, whether intermediaries were involved, and if similar demands were made in other investigations handled by the officers.

Wider Scrutiny Ahead

Beyond the immediate arrests, the case is expected to widen. Authorities have indicated that property records and financial holdings of both the inspector and the constable will be examined to determine whether the alleged misconduct was an isolated incident or part of a broader pattern of corruption.

ACB officials said the investigation remains ongoing and further action will depend on evidence gathered during custodial interrogation and financial verification.