Bribery Exposed: PWD Officer Held for Taking ₹40,000 in Exchange for Petrol Pump Approval

ALWAR – In a significant crackdown on administrative graft, the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) Alwar unit caught a Technical Assistant (TA) from the Public Works Department (PWD) red-handed while accepting a bribe of ₹25,000. The accused officer, identified as Krishan Avtar Gupta, had allegedly demanded a total of ₹40,000 to process a No Objection Certificate (NOC) for a newly allotted petrol pump.

The Complaint and Verification

The operation was initiated following a formal complaint lodged by Shivcharan Yadav on April 28, 2026. Yadav informed the bureau that his nephew, Gopesh Yadav, had been allotted a petrol pump by Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL). However, the mandatory PWD clearance file was pending with the accused, Krishan Avtar Gupta.

Gupta allegedly demanded ₹40,000 as “expenses” to clear the file. During the bureau’s verification process on May 1, 2026, the accused had already accepted an initial installment of ₹10,000, with the understanding that the remaining balance would be paid upon the NOC’s processing.

The High-Drama Trap

On May 4, 2026, the ACB team planned a strategic trap. Gupta, perhaps hoping to avoid departmental scrutiny, instructed the complainant to deliver the remaining ₹25,000 to his private residence (House No. 133) in the Gandhi Nagar area, rather than his official office.

As soon as the money changed hands, the ACB team, which was lying in wait, swooped in. Realizing he was caught, Gupta reportedly attempted to hide the currency notes by stuffing them into the crevices of his sofa cushions. However, the team successfully recovered the bribe money in the presence of independent witnesses.

Scientific Evidence and Legal Action

A chemical test was conducted on the suspect’s hands; when washed in a specialized solution, the water turned pink, providing scientific confirmation of the transaction.

The ACB has officially registered a case under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 (as amended in 2018). To ensure a fair and thorough probe, the investigation has been handed over to Parmeshwar Lal Yadav, Deputy Superintendent of Police (ACB Bhiwadi).