HANUMANGARH – In a significant crackdown on corruption, the Hanumangarh unit of the Rajasthan Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) arrested a Patwari on Saturday for allegedly accepting a bribe to process a land mutation. The accused had hidden the illicit cash inside a toy box at his residence to evade detection.
The Case: Exploiting the Elderly for a Will
The incident occurred in the Nohar Tehsil, specifically within the Jabrasar Patwar Mandal. The complainant, Gyani Singh, approached the ACB alleging that Patwari Pradeep Kumar was demanding ₹15,000 to record a land mutation (Intkal) based on his late grandfather’s will.
According to the complaint, the Patwari sought to exploit the fact that Singh’s father and uncle are elderly and illiterate, demanding the bribe for a legitimate administrative task that should have been performed as part of his official duties.
The Trap and Verification
Under the direction of Additional Superintendent of Police (ACB) Sudha Palawat, a confidential verification of the complaint was conducted:
- April 7, 2026: The ACB confirmed the bribe demand during a discreet verification process.
- April 8, 2026: A trap was laid, and the complainant was sent to the Patwari with chemically treated currency notes.
- Negotiation: The deal was eventually struck for ₹12,000.
Recovery from a “Rechargeable Fan” Box
During the trap operation, Patwari Pradeep Kumar reportedly took the complainant on his motorcycle to the local market before accepting the money and heading to his home.
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When the ACB team intercepted him at the Patwar Ghar, he initially denied receiving any money. However, during intense questioning, he confessed to hiding the cash at his residence in Ward Number 22. A subsequent search of his bedroom cupboard revealed the ₹12,000 bribe hidden inside a toy box for a rechargeable fan.
Legal Consequences
The ACB utilized scientific evidence, including a chemical wash of the accused’s hands and pocket, which turned pink, confirming he had handled the bribe money.
A case has been registered under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 (as amended in 2018). The detailed investigation into the matter has been handed over to Police Inspector Rajendra Kumar.
