Bharatpur (Rajasthan): The Anti‑Corruption Bureau (ACB) of Rajasthan has caught a police officer red‑handed in a bribery case involving an ongoing investigation at Roopbas Police Station in Bharatpur district. The incident marks another strong action by the ACB in its ongoing campaign to curb corruption within law enforcement.
Complaint Leads to Anti‑Corruption Action
A complaint was lodged with the ACB Bharatpur unit by Ajay Kumar, who alleged that his family was being harassed in a police case registered at Roopbas. The complainant accused Assistant Sub‑Inspector (ASI) Praveen Bhardwaj (also identified in some reports as Praveen Kumar Sharma) of demanding money in exchange for removal of names from the FIR and favourable handling of the matter.
According to the complaint, the ASI repeatedly pressured the complainant to pay a bribe in order to provide relief in the pending legal case against the family, creating stress and fear of legal consequences.
Verification and Trap Operation
The ACB conducted a confidential verification of the complaint to confirm its authenticity. During this process, it emerged that the accused was indeed asking for an unlawful payment for official favours. Initially, a demand of ₹15,000 was mentioned, but during the verification, the amount was mutually agreed down to ₹12,000 to secure help in the pending case.
On March 23, 2026, the ACB team laid a trap operation and monitored the exchange of money. The accused ASI was arrested red‑handed while accepting ₹12,000 from the complainant. The amount was recovered from the officer’s uniform pocket at the moment of arrest.
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Legal Action and Charges
Following the arrest, ACB officials took ASI Praveen Bhardwaj into custody. A case was registered against him under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, which deals with public servants demanding or accepting illegal gratification in relation to their official duties. The investigation has been entrusted to Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Gyan Chand Meena, who will oversee the detailed inquiry and collection of further evidence.
Broader Anti‑Corruption Campaign
This operation comes amid a series of similar actions by the ACB across Rajasthan, where public servants — including police personnel and other officials — have been apprehended for bribery and corruption. These actions aim to signal a strong enforcement stance against misuse of official position and to reinforce public confidence in transparent governance.
Officials have reiterated that citizens are encouraged to report instances of corruption through official ACB channels, emphasizing that complaints remain confidential and that verified cases will trigger swift legal action against offenders.
