Amreli: The Gujarat Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) on Monday conducted a successful trap operation near Vanda police station in Amreli district and caught two police head constables along with two private persons in a bribery case involving Rs 51,000.

According to the ACB, the accused include Vijaybhai Mansukhbhai Mer, Police Head Constable posted at Vanda Police Station, Chhaganbhai Mawjibhai Dabhi, also a Police Head Constable at the same police station, and two private individuals – Mayurbhai Babubhai Khuman of Vanda and Atulbhai Chauhan of Gariyadhar in Bhavnagar district.

The ACB stated that a complaint had been lodged through the anti-corruption toll-free helpline 1064 by an alert citizen. The complainant alleged that a case registered against his friend at Vanda police station was being investigated by accused Vijaybhai Mer.

As per the complaint, the accused allegedly demanded Rs 1.25 lakh as illegal gratification through intermediary Atulbhai Chauhan in exchange for not seizing the complainant’s friend’s mobile phone and four-wheeler, allowing his business activities to continue smoothly, and refraining from assaulting him. After negotiations, the amount was allegedly settled at Rs 51,000.

Unwilling to pay the bribe, the complainant approached the Anti-Corruption Bureau and filed a complaint with the Bhavnagar ACB unit.

Based on the complaint, a trap was arranged on May 11 by ACB officials. During the operation, accused Mayurbhai Khuman allegedly accepted Rs 51,000 from the complainant on behalf of the main accused and informed Vijaybhai Mer about receiving the money. Subsequently, accused Chhaganbhai Dabhi allegedly arrived to collect the bribe amount from Khuman.

The ACB team caught both accused on the spot near the gate of Gopinath Oil Mill opposite Vanda police station on the Jesar–Savarkundla road. The main accused, Vijaybhai Mer, was later apprehended from Vanda police station.

The ACB stated that all four accused acted in connivance with each other and assisted in committing the offence. The police personnel have been accused of misusing their official positions and committing criminal misconduct under anti-corruption laws.

The trap was conducted by T.S. Rizvi, Police Inspector, Bhavnagar ACB, under the supervision of S.N. Barot, Assistant Director, ACB Bhavnagar Unit. Baldevsinh Vaghela, Deputy Director, ACB Rajkot, was the in-charge officer for the operation. DeshGujarat