Vadodara: The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) of Gujarat on Thursday laid a trap at Akshar Chowk and recovered a bribe of ₹2 lakh allegedly demanded by a Police Inspector to avoid filing a “Love Jihad” case against a citizen.

The accused Police Inspector, V.A. Charan of Padra Police Station, was not present at the spot and is currently absconding. However, his accomplice, Sajidali Gulamrasul Saiyed, a 39-year-old private trader from Chansad, was caught red-handed while accepting the bribe.

According to the ACB, the case stems from an incident on April 9, 2026, when the complainant and a witness were involved in a dispute and were taken to Padra Police Station. It is alleged that PI Charan threatened to implicate them in a “Love Jihad” case and demanded money to avoid legal action.

The officer reportedly directed the complainant to contact Saiyed to settle the matter. Saiyed initially demanded ₹6 lakh on behalf of the Police Inspector, which was later negotiated down to ₹2 lakh.

Unwilling to pay the bribe, the complainant approached the Vadodara Rural ACB and lodged a complaint.

Based on the complaint, the ACB team set up a trap. During the operation, Saiyed accepted the bribe amount and allegedly contacted PI Charan to confirm receipt of the money. ACB officials immediately apprehended him in the presence of two independent witnesses and recovered the entire amount of ₹2 lakh.

The ACB has registered an offence in the matter and launched a search to trace and arrest the absconding Police Inspector. DeshGujarat