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.

The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), Bilaspur on Monday arrested three officials of Sakti Janpad Panchayat after catching them red‑handed while accepting a ₹1 lakh bribe. The accused — Janpad CEO Nikhil Kashyap, assistant grade‑3 clerk Avinash Thakur and peon Lachhan Bhanu — allegedly demanded ₹2 lakh to release the next tranche of funds under the Prime Minister’s Adarsh Gram Yojana.

According to ACB officials, the case began with a complaint by Arun Kumar Bhardwaj of Limtara village. Arun told investigators that his mother, the village sarpanch, had received sanction for development works — including construction of a ghat and drains — worth ₹20 lakh. While a cheque for ₹8 lakh had already been issued, the remaining ₹12 lakh was pending.

Arun said that when he approached CEO Nikhil Kashyap and clerk Avinash Thakur for release of the balance cheque, both demanded ₹2 lakh to process it. He refused and lodged a complaint with ACB, Bilaspur, which launched an inquiry. Preliminary probe revealed that an advance of ₹1 lakh had already been taken via the office peon, the ACB said.

Acting on the complaint, ACB planned a trap on June 15. The complainant visited the Janpad office with the remaining ₹1 lakh, handed the cash to the peon as instructed, and ACB teams swooped in and arrested all three. The seized cash was recovered from the accused, officials said.

“The accused were caught accepting ₹1 lakh in furtherance of a demand of ₹2 lakh for issuing the sanction cheque,” an ACB officer said. Cases have been registered under sections 7 and 12 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 (as amended), and legal proceedings are underway.

Local sources allege the CEO had directed the clerk to coordinate the transaction, and the clerk had in turn used the peon to collect money. The ACB statement said the agency will examine departmental records and communications to trace any larger nexus or recurring malpractice.

The detained officials were taken into custody and will be produced before court as the probe continues. “We will follow the evidence trail. No corrupt practice will be tolerated,” an ACB spokesperson told reporters, declining to share operational details pending further action.

The incident has stirred concern among panchayat members and villagers in Limtara, who said development work was being held up while officials allegedly levered their position to seek bribes. “Funds were sanctioned for basic public works. We hope ACB action ensures justice and the release of pending money,” said a resident who asked not to be named.

The arrests come amid increased scrutiny of local governance and public fund disbursement in Chhattisgarh. In recent months authorities have stepped up anti‑graft operations targeting irregularities in welfare and rural development schemes. Observers say such quick trap operations are intended to send a deterrent message to officials who exploit procedural delays to extract money.

The ACB has collected statements from the complainant and other witnesses and will also seek to verify records related to the PM Adarsh Gram Yojana sanction and cheque issuance. Further details, including exact departmental disciplinary steps against the accused, are awaited as the investigation progresses.

A viral video has exposed a branch manager of the District Cooperative Central Bank allegedly demanding and accepting a bribe from a widow seeking to withdraw money from her deceased husband's account, prompting an administrative inquiry in Chhattisgarh's Balodabazar district.

Widow Forced to Pay Rs 5,000

The complainant, Khelan Bai Satnami, a resident of Nipania village, told officials that her husband Roopdas Satnami died around a year ago, leaving behind a bank account with approximately Rs 1.10 lakh at the Nipania branch of the cooperative bank. When she approached the branch to complete the withdrawal formalities, branch manager Anita Pandey allegedly demanded Rs 10,000 to process the paperwork. The amount was later negotiated down to Rs 5,000, which the widow paid.

Villager Films Transaction

A villager who had accompanied the woman to the bank recorded the exchange on video and shared it widely on social media. The clip reportedly shows the manager questioning the woman about her late husband, getting documents signed, and later telling the woman's son to hurry with the withdrawal. When asked how much money was involved, the son replied Rs 5,000, after which the manager is heard telling the family to come to her directly with any future issues.

Complaint Filed With Collector

Following the incident, Khelan Bai approached the Balodabazar Collector during the public grievance hearing (Jan Darshan) and lodged a formal complaint against the bank official. She submitted the video evidence to the administration and demanded an inquiry, along with registration of an FIR and action against the manager.

MLA Raises Questions Over Conduct

Bhatapara MLA Indra Sao also questioned the manager's conduct, saying multiple complaints against her had surfaced even during her earlier postings. According to the MLA, farmers in Nipania have also been troubled by her working style. He alleged that around a year ago, when he had raised similar concerns over the phone, the officer responded dismissively before disconnecting the call, asserting she would do as she pleased. He added that such complaints reflect poorly on his constituency and that some villagers have alleged bribes are routinely sought for routine banking work.

Administration Orders Probe

According to officials, Balodabazar Collector Kuldeep Sharma has directed the nodal officer of the concerned department to investigate the matter following the complaint. Authorities confirmed that action would depend on the findings of the inquiry.

Background of the Bank

Anita Pandey serves as the branch manager of the District Cooperative Central Bank's Nipania branch in Balodabazar district. The incident has drawn renewed attention to allegations of corruption in cooperative banking institutions across rural Chhattisgarh, where residents have previously raised concerns about being asked for bribes for routine services such as fund withdrawals and land-related paperwork.

What Happens Next

With the video evidence now submitted to district authorities, the inquiry is expected to determine the validity of the allegations against the manager. Local sources said further action, including possible disciplinary proceedings, would depend on the outcome of the administrative probe ordered by the Collector.

Multiple districts report heated exchanges between politicians and officials, while ACB nabs government staff accepting bribes during public grievance camps.

What was meant to be a showcase of governance efficiency turned chaotic across several Chhattisgarh districts on Friday, as video clips of heated arguments between politicians and officials went viral, even as the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) carried out multiple arrests for bribery during the state’s ‘Sushasan Tihar’ (Good Governance Festival) camps.

The camps, set up to resolve public grievances, instead became flashpoints in Durg, Korba, Bilaspur, and Raigarh. Officials and public representatives clashed openly in front of villagers, while at least two government employees were caught red-handed accepting illegal payments.

Face-off in Thanod village

In Durg district’s Thanod village, BJP leader Puran Deshmukh, who serves as the Durg rural district general secretary, engaged in a sharp exchange with Janpad CEO Rupesh Pandey. The argument, captured on video, shows the CEO pointing a finger at the BJP leader and saying, “Do whatever you want to do.”

According to local sources, Deshmukh was upset over the release of funds for a community hall. He alleged that funds were released during the current sarpanch’s tenure despite a stay order he had obtained earlier. The CEO countered that the stay had already been lifted. The entire episode unfolded in the presence of Durg rural MLA Lalit Chandrakar.

ACB arrests clerk in Korba

At a separate camp in Korba district’s Tumaan area under Podi Uproda block, ACB teams arrested assistant grade-2 official Pradeep Mishra for allegedly demanding and accepting a ₹40,000 bribe. The complainant, a retired teacher named Amritlal Baghel, had visited the camp to get entries made in his GPF passbook.

Baghel approached the Bilaspur ACB after Mishra allegedly demanded the money. A team led by DSP Ajit Singh laid a trap and caught the official while accepting the cash. Officials said Mishra had previous complaints of financial irregularities against him. The ACB is now probing if other complainants at the camp were also extorted.

Patwari suspended over viral video

A separate incident in Korba’s Pasan area led to the suspension of patwari Vinod Agrawal after a video surfaced showing him counting currency notes under his office table. Locals alleged the patwari routinely demanded bribes – up to ₹5,000 for forest patta processing and up to ₹10,000 for mutation of land after death.

One villager secretly filmed the patwari demanding money for a ‘fauti namantaran’ (mutation after death). Following the video’s circulation, the SDM ordered Agrawal’s suspension. He also held additional charge of the Sirri area.

Congress leader, MLA clash in Bilaspur

In Bilaspur’s Godhi village under Bilha block, a dispute broke out between local Congress leader Rajendra Shukla and BJP MLA Dharam Lal Kaushik. Shukla, along with supporters, was raising slogans such as “Stop this farce in the name of Sushasan Tihar” when the situation escalated.

Shukla later told reporters that there was no direct confrontation with the MLA. “When camps are organised to solve problems, everyone has the right to question officials. When I started asking about unresolved issues, someone tried to snatch the mic,” he said.

MLA Kaushik, however, claimed Shukla was “attacking officers” when he arrived. “I told him to stay calm. Everyone is here to solve public problems under the Chief Minister’s leadership. There is no need to disrupt official work,” Kaushik said, adding that Shukla eventually left with his supporters.

 Clerk held in Raigarh with ₹60,000

In Raigarh district, ACB arrested clerk Tularam Patel at the Chhal tehsil office for allegedly demanding ₹1 lakh to correct errors in a B-1 land record. Acting on a complaint by Bhanupratap Patel, the bureau laid a trap and caught Patel accepting ₹60,000 on Friday. Investigations are ongoing to determine if others were involved.

 Head constable faces bribery rap

In a related development from Bilaspur, a head constable was suspended after a video emerged showing him demanding ₹10,000 to release three accused. The officer was heard saying in the clip, “I cannot let go of three people for just ₹5,000. Arrange ₹10,000 for all three.” The police department has initiated disciplinary proceedings.

The multiple incidents have raised questions about the effectiveness of the month-long ‘Sushasan Tihar’, which the state government has been promoting as a citizen-centric initiative. Officials say they are reviewing the complaints and further action is expected.

Rewa Tehsil Clerk Caught Taking Rs 9,500 Bribe

Tyonthar Tehsil office staffer arrested by Lokayukta team

In a swift anti-corruption operation, the Madhya Pradesh Lokayukta police arrested a tehsil clerk on Thursday for allegedly demanding a bribe to resolve a land-related case and threatening the complainant with eviction proceedings. The accused, identified as Anil Kumar Tripathi, was caught red-handed while accepting Rs 9,500 as part of the demanded bribe.

The incident has triggered a stir at the Tyonthar tehsil office, with staff expressing shock over the timing of the raid inside the premises. Officials said the arrest was made following a verified complaint and a meticulously planned trap.

Complaint Filed Days Earlier

According to Lokayukta officials, the complainant, Ajay Mishra, a resident of Dadhakala village under Janey police station in Tyonthar tehsil, approached the Lokayukta office on May 4, 2026. Mishra alleged that Tripathi, who handles case files at the tehsil, was pressuring him to pay Rs 80,000 for a favourable decision in his pending matter. The clerk allegedly used the threat of eviction (bedkhali) action to build pressure.

Initial verification by the Lokayukta team confirmed the demand. A trap team was subsequently formed under the guidance of senior officers.

Trap Laid, Clerk Nabbed

On May 7, the team laid a trap at the tehsil office. Tripathi was allegedly caught accepting Rs 9,500 as the first instalment of the bribe. The entire operation was conducted under the leadership of DSP Praveen Singh Parihar, with Inspector S. Ram Maravi and a 12-member team, including independent government witnesses, present at the spot.

“After thorough verification of the complaint, a planned trap was executed. The accused was arrested while accepting the bribe money,” Parihar told reporters. A case has been registered against Tripathi under Section 7(1) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 (as amended in 2018). Further investigation is underway.

Fear of Eviction Used as Leverage

Mishra later narrated his ordeal, saying repeated demands for money had left him harassed. “They were not processing the case and kept threatening to initiate eviction proceedings if I did not pay,” he claimed. Distressed by the continuous pressure, he finally approached the Lokayukta.

The arrest has brought renewed attention to corruption at the tehsil level, where land records, mutations, and eviction-related matters often become sources of alleged bribery.

Lokayukta Appeals for Public Vigilance

The Lokayukta organisation has appealed to citizens to report any instances of bribery immediately. “If any officer or employee demands a bribe, complain without fear to the Lokayukta office or on the designated helpline,” a senior official said.

This latest action comes under the direct supervision of Lokayukta Director General Yogesh Deshmukh and IG Manoj Singh. Officials emphasised that such operations would continue to keep government offices corruption-free.

 Public Reaction and Local Impact

Local residents in Tyonthar expressed mixed reactions. While many welcomed the arrest, some voiced concern over delays in routine tehsil work following the incident. Tehsil officials maintained that work continued normally after the initial disruption, but the episode has clearly shaken the local administrative setup.

Land-related disputes and revenue department processes remain among the most common areas where citizens report facing demands for speed money. Cases involving mutations, possession certificates, and eviction notices frequently surface in such complaints.

Next Steps in Investigation

The arrested clerk has been taken into custody, and authorities are examining other files handled by him to check for similar patterns. The Lokayukta team is also recording statements of witnesses and examining relevant documents from the tehsil office.

This development is being seen as part of a broader drive against corruption in Madhya Pradesh’s revenue department. Similar actions have been reported in other districts in recent months, indicating sustained focus by the anti-graft body.

The case will now proceed in the special court for Prevention of Corruption Act matters. Tripathi is likely to be produced before the court soon for remand.

Rewa: Tehsil Clerk Suspended for Delaying Land Mutations Over Bribe Demands

Collector acts swiftly on complaints of corruption in name transfer cases and PM Awas Yojana survey irregularities

In a significant crackdown on corruption at the tehsil level, Rewa Collector Narendra Kumar Suryavanshi on Wednesday suspended an assistant grade-3 official of Semriya tehsil for allegedly holding up land mutation (varsana namantaran) cases in exchange for bribes. 

The official, Prashant Tiwari, has been placed under immediate suspension. The move came after complaints that he deliberately delayed mutation applications of several residents, reportedly seeking money to clear the files. 

According to officials, Tiwari had kept the mutation cases of applicants Man Singh, Kebil Singh, Umesh Singh, and Babli Singh pending for a long time. Local sources said the applicants alleged that the clerk was demanding money to process the paperwork, a common grievance in revenue offices across many districts.

Swift action on prima facie evidence

The Collector did not order a prolonged inquiry. Instead, acting on the initial complaint and available documents, he issued suspension orders the same day. As of late Wednesday, the suspended employee had not submitted any formal response or defence. 

Such prompt action by the district administration has drawn attention in Rewa, where revenue-related delays often lead to public frustration. Revenue officials play a crucial role in updating land records, and any perceived corruption in mutation processes directly affects farmers and property owners seeking legal clarity over their holdings.

PM Awas Yojana bribe demand sparks separate probe

In a parallel development, the district administration has taken cognisance of alleged bribery in the implementation of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY). Ram Lakhan Namdev, a resident of Barokhar village in Sirmaur tehsil, complained to the Collector that a gram rozgar sahayak (employment assistant) demanded ₹20,000 as bribe for conducting a survey under the housing scheme.

According to the complainant, when he refused to pay, the assistant allegedly denied him the benefits of the scheme entirely. 

The Collector has issued a show-cause notice to the CEO of Gangew Janpad Panchayat, directing her to submit a reply within three days explaining the matter. The notice underscores the administration’s seriousness in checking corruption in flagship central schemes meant for the poor. 

Ground reality and public impact

These cases highlight ongoing challenges in Rewa’s rural governance. Land mutation work and housing scheme surveys involve direct interaction between lower-level staff and citizens, making them vulnerable to rent-seeking behaviour. Many beneficiaries in remote villages depend on these services for securing titles or availing government housing support.

Residents in affected areas often speak of repeated visits to tehsil offices and panchayat functionaries, only to face demands for “speed money.” While senior officials periodically review such complaints, swift disciplinary action like Wednesday’s suspension remains relatively rare and is being noted locally.

The PM Awas Yojana, aimed at providing pucca houses to eligible rural families, has seen significant push in Madhya Pradesh. However, implementation-level bottlenecks and reported irregularities sometimes deny genuine applicants their due. The current notice to the Gangew CEO is expected to trigger an internal review of survey processes in the panchayat.

Administration’s zero-tolerance message

Collector Suryavanshi’s decisions reflect an attempt to send a strong message down the line. By acting on both the revenue department complaint and the PMAY grievance within a short span, the district top official has signalled that complaints backed by evidence will not be allowed to linger.

No official comment was immediately available from the suspended clerk or the Gangew CEO. Further developments are awaited as the three-day deadline for the CEO’s reply approaches. 

The district administration is likely to monitor similar cases more closely in the coming days. For ordinary citizens in Rewa’s tehsils and gram panchayats, these actions offer some hope that redressal mechanisms can work when complaints reach the higher levels.

Local observers say consistent follow-up and transparency in such matters will be key to restoring public confidence in day-to-day governance.