The Gujarat Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) arrested Inspector PK Patel and Constable Vipul Desai on Monday for allegedly demanding and accepting a ₹30 lakh bribe.
Attached to the Gandhinagar CID Crime unit, the duo sought illegal gratification to shield a complainant from legal action in a call centre-related case.
After the victim refused to pay and alerted authorities, the ACB laid a strategic trap near Swagat City Mall in Sargasan. Both officers were caught red-handed during the transaction. They now face charges under the Prevention of Corruption Act as investigators probe their assets for further irregularities.
Call Centre Case Extortion
The controversy began during an active investigation by the CID Crime Gandhinagar Zone into a call centre fraud case. Instead of conducting a fair probe, Inspector Patel and Constable Desai reportedly used their authority to intimidate the accused.
They allegedly demanded a massive sum of ₹30 lakh to ensure that no further legal action would be taken against the complainant and his associate. This abuse of power highlights a disturbing trend of “settlement” tactics within elite units, where officers leverage sensitive FIRs to extort money from those already under the scanner.
ACB Sting Operation
Refusing to succumb to the pressure, the complainant approached the Gujarat ACB, leading to a swift verification process. Under the supervision of Inspector D. N. Patel, a trap was set at a construction site in the Sargasan area. During the sting, Constable Vipul Desai met the complainant to accept the cash.
Meanwhile, Inspector Petha Patel maintained a distance, providing a signal of consent to proceed. As soon as the exchange was completed, waiting ACB personnel moved in, recovered the full bribe amount, and apprehended both officers on the spot.
Official Statements
ACB officials have stated that the evidence against the duo is substantial, with the demand, acceptance, and recovery of the cash fully documented. Assistant Director G. V. Padheriya emphasised that such criminal conspiracy sabotages the legal process and erodes the credibility of the police force.
Beyond the immediate arrests, the state government has indicated that the property and assets of both officers will be thoroughly investigated. This move aims to determine if the bribery was an isolated incident or part of a systemic pattern of corruption within the Gandhinagar CID unit.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
At The Logical Indian, we believe that when law enforcers become lawbreakers, the very fabric of democracy is threatened. Corruption in high-stakes investigations like call centre frauds not only shields potential criminals but also punishes those seeking justice.
We advocate for a system built on transparency and empathy, where the police act as protectors rather than predators.
True social change is only possible when institutional integrity is restored through strict accountability. We stand with the whistleblowers who choose honesty over silence, helping to purge the system of such parasitic elements.
