Pratapgarh: In a major anti-corruption operation, the Rajasthan Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) detained Dholapani Station House Officer (SHO) Praveen Kumar Charan after allegedly catching him red-handed while accepting a bribe of ₹2.87 lakh.
According to ACB officials, the accused police officer allegedly demanded the bribe in exchange for giving relief to an accused in a rape case and ensuring that the complainant’s father was not implicated in the investigation.
The operation, carried out in a dramatic manner on a highway toll plaza, has once again raised serious questions regarding corruption within law enforcement agencies in Rajasthan.
Bribe Allegedly Demanded in Rape Case Investigation
According to information released by the ACB headquarters, the complainant approached the bureau after allegedly being pressured and threatened by the SHO.
The complainant stated that his brother was an accused in a rape case registered at Dholapani police station. SHO Praveen Kumar Charan allegedly demanded ₹3 lakh in exchange for:
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- Not physically assaulting the accused during custody or investigation
- Providing leniency in the case
- Excluding the complainant’s father from being named as an accused
The family reportedly became distressed due to repeated pressure and intimidation and eventually decided to approach the Anti-Corruption Bureau for help.
ACB Laid Trap on Highway in Film-Style Operation
The trap operation was conducted under the supervision of Udaipur Range DIG Dr. Rameshwar Singh and led by Dungarpur ACB Deputy Superintendent of Police Ratan Singh Rajpurohit.
ACB officials received information that the SHO was travelling in his private vehicle carrying the bribe amount. Acting swiftly, the bureau team established a blockade near the Narsinghpura toll plaza on the Nimbahera highway.
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The accused officer’s vehicle was stopped and searched during the operation.
Cash Recovered from SHO’s Vehicle
During the search, ACB officials recovered ₹2,87,150 in cash from the vehicle.
Officials said that when the police inspector was questioned regarding the source and purpose of the cash, he failed to provide any satisfactory explanation.
Following the recovery, the ACB immediately detained the SHO and initiated formal legal proceedings under anti-corruption laws.
Searches Underway at Official and Private Premises
Under the direction of ACB Additional Director General Smita Srivastava, investigators are now conducting detailed interrogation of the accused officer.
Simultaneously, ACB teams have launched search operations at:
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- The SHO’s government quarters
- Other private properties and suspected locations linked to him
Officials are examining whether the accused possessed assets disproportionate to his known sources of income or had links to additional corruption activities.
ACB Appeals Public to Report Corruption
Following the operation, ACB Director General Govind Gupta appealed to the public to report corruption without fear.
He urged citizens to immediately contact the ACB helpline if any public servant demands money in exchange for official work, legal relief, or administrative favors.
The incident has become a major talking point in Rajasthan, especially because the alleged bribery involved manipulation of a serious criminal case.
The ACB is expected to continue its investigation into the financial transactions and official conduct of the accused SHO in the coming days.
