The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) of Gujarat has on Tuesday filed a case against a woman and her for demanding a bribe of Rs 375,000 after two years of corruption charges against two policemen of Kheda failed. family in exchange for not filing a case against them under the Gujarat Money Lenders Act, 2011.
Police Constable Pravinsingh Bharatsingh Solanki and retired Assistant Inspector (ASI) Dhirmohan Pagi, working at Kapdwanj Town Police Station, were arrested on Tuesday on the charge of demanding bribe from the complainant. The policemen reportedly received a complaint against the woman alleging that she and her relatives were illegal moneylenders or “loan sharks”.
Earlier, two complaints of illegal lending were filed against her, while four complaints were filed against her, her husband and son in Kapdwanj Town Police of Kheda with similar allegations.
It is alleged that police constable Solanki first asked the complainant for a bribe of 10 lakhs in return for not turning it into an FIR. Solanki later reduced the amount to 4 lakhs and called the complainant to meet him at Pagi’s residence on February 14, 2023. At the end of further bargaining, the two accused reduced the amount to Rs 3.75 lakh.
ACB Assistant Director KB Chudasama said, “The demand for bribe was made on February 2, 2023. The women reached the ACB and a trap was set up to catch them red-handed. However, the attempt failed as the accused were not present when the bribe was handed over.
Even though the ACB could not file a case against the two accused at that time, the concerned authorities still had phone recordings and other evidence. These were sent for verification. The ACB said on Wednesday that the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) reports have confirmed the evidence; And, they filed a corruption case against the two accused. Moreover, Solanki abused his position as a public servant and committed criminal misconduct in connivance with Pagi.
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