Surat: The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) on Thursday booked two personnel of Surat City Traffic Region-3 (Traffic Brigade) for allegedly accepting a bribe of ₹15,000. The accused, Piyush alias Rahul Rajput and Dharmesh Sarabhai Bharwad, were both serving in the Traffic Brigade, Region-3 squad.

According to the ACB, the complainant, engaged in the textile transport business with three tempo vehicles, was approached by accused Piyush. Claiming to be the in-charge of Region-3, he demanded a monthly bribe from the complainant and his group to ensure that their 30 vehicles would not be wrongfully harassed by traffic personnel while passing through the area. The demand was set at ₹1,000 per four-wheeler and ₹700 per three-wheeler. However, after negotiations, it was settled at ₹500 per vehicle.

Unwilling to pay the bribe, the complainant approached the ACB. On Thursday, a trap was arranged at Sai Point, near the government water tank on C.R. Patil Road in Dindoli area. During the operation, accused Piyush instructed the complainant over the phone to hand over the money to accused Dharmesh Bharwad. Dharmesh accepted the ₹15,000 bribe and was caught red-handed by ACB officials. Deshujarat