Surat: The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) on Friday nabbed a 19-year-old college student for allegedly receiving a ₹30,000 bribe on behalf of his mother, who serves as a senior accountant in the Agriculture Department of the Surat District Panchayat.

The action followed a complaint alleging that illegal payments were being sought to process pending Transport Allowance (TA) and Leave Travel Concession (LTC) claims of employees for the period between 2022 and 2024.

According to ACB officials, Rupal Tailor, a Class III officer, allegedly demanded ₹1,500 each from 33 employees for clearing TA bills and ₹1,000 each from 13 employees for processing LTC claims, amounting to a total alleged demand of ₹62,500.

Acting on the complaint, the ACB laid a trap after the complainant informed Tailor that ₹30,000 had been arranged. The complainant was allegedly directed to reach a spot near Omkar Heights on the Ugat-Bhesan Road in Jahangirabad.

Investigators said Tailor allegedly deputed her son, Jeel Tailor, a BCA student, to collect the money while she stayed at a nearby residence. ACB personnel intercepted and apprehended him on a public road while he was allegedly accepting the bribe amount.

Subsequently, ACB teams reached Tailor’s residence, where she was located and taken into custody for further legal proceedings. Officials said she would be formally arrested after the completion of procedural formalities.

The trap operation was conducted by Police Inspector K. J. Dhaduk under the supervision of ACB Surat Assistant Director R. R. Chaudhary. DeshGujarat