Gandhinagar: A unique practice of corrupt government officials and middlemen has become a taking point in the state, where they have started accepting bribes in installments. Over 10 such cases have been reported this year. The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) of Gujarat also confirmed that this practice, although not new, remains a significant issue.

ACB Director Shamsher Singh explained that the scheme involves victims agreeing to pay the first installment before any work is done, with subsequent payments due upon task completion. Singh noted that this installment method of bribery has been ongoing for a long time.

However, sometimes the victims change their minds and approach the ACB instead of paying the subsequent installments, the senior cop added.

In one such example, a police sub-inspector from the state CID Crime in Gandhinagar was arrested in April for accepting a bribe of Rs 40,000, with part of the sum taken in advance. The accused had demanded a bribe of Rs 50,000, and the victim had paid Rs 10,000 but later approached the ACB before paying Rs 40,000.

The ACB continues its efforts to combat these corrupt practices in Gujarat, urging citizens to report any instances of bribery or extortion. DeshGujarat