A head constable posted in Madhya Pradesh’s Ratlam district has been arrested by the Rajasthan Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) for allegedly accepting a ₹50,000 bribe from the relative of an accused in a fraud case. The officer, identified as Tapesh Gosai, was caught red-handed during a trap operation at a hotel in Bhilwara, where he had reportedly arrived with a police team for investigation purposes.

According to the ACB, the accused policeman had allegedly demanded a total bribe of ₹1.10 lakh in exchange for extending favourable treatment during the investigation. Officials said he had already accepted ₹10,000 earlier and had called the complainant to deliver another ₹50,000, promising not to assault the arrested accused and to cooperate in the ongoing probe.

Fraud investigation led to bribery allegations

Director General of Police, Rajasthan ACB, Govind Gupta, said the case originated from a complaint filed by Ratlam-based businessman Ratan Jangid. The complaint alleged that Mohammad Liaqat (70), a resident of Junawas in Bhilwara, had taken ₹25.76 lakh as advance payment in connection with the proposed sale of an oil mill and land valued at ₹11.10 crore.

The complainant alleged that despite accepting the advance amount, Liaqat neither executed the property agreement nor facilitated a meeting with the landowner. Based on the complaint, Ratlam’s Industrial Area Police Station registered a fraud case, and Liaqat was brought to Bhilwara for further investigation.

During this process, the complainant alleged that Head Constable Tapesh Gosai demanded money to provide relief in the investigation and threatened to publicly humiliate the accused if the payment was not made.

Threatened to parade accused in handcuffs

According to the ACB investigation, Gosai allegedly warned the complainant that if the demanded amount was not paid, Liaqat would be paraded through the city in handcuffs, causing public embarrassment. The complainant subsequently approached the Anti-Corruption Bureau with the allegations.

After verifying the complaint, ACB officials planned a trap operation under the supervision of Deputy Superintendent of Police Narpat Singh Charan.

Caught red-handed inside hotel room

The trap was executed at a hotel near the Circuit House in Bhilwara, where the Madhya Pradesh police team had been staying. Investigators said Gosai was occupying Room No. 104, while an Assistant Sub-Inspector and four other members of the police team were staying separately in Room No. 105.

The complainant was instructed to hand over the agreed amount inside Gosai’s room. As soon as the head constable accepted ₹50,000, ACB officials entered the room and arrested him on the spot.

During the search, officers recovered the entire bribe amount from the pocket of the police uniform trousers worn by the accused.

Investigation underway

Following the arrest, the accused was taken into custody for interrogation. ACB officials said further investigation is underway to determine whether any other individuals were involved in the alleged bribery and whether similar complaints exist against the officer.

The bureau stated that legal proceedings have been initiated under the relevant provisions of the anti-corruption law, while investigators continue to examine the evidence collected during the trap operation.

The case highlights continued efforts by anti-corruption agencies to act against public servants accused of demanding illegal gratification in exchange for influencing official investigations.