ACB Tightens Grip on Corrupt Traffic Policemen Demanding Bribes in Surat

Surat : The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has intensified its efforts to combat instances of traffic personnel soliciting bribes from unsuspecting commuters caught flouting traffic regulations.

One recent incident exemplifies this determination as ACB sleuths apprehended a Lok Rakshak Dal (LRD) jawan, identified as Bhavesh Desai, deployed with Surat Traffic Region-2, while he was in the act of accepting a bribe of Rs 1,000 from a vehicle owner at Sahara Darwaja.

The incident transpired at the Kamela Darwaza traffic police post located on Ring Road, where Bhavesh Desai was apprehended red-handed, receiving an illicit payment of Rs 1,000. The investigation conducted by the ACB revealed that Desai had been engaging in the unlawful practice of stopping vehicles and demanding bribes in exchange for not issuing them a RTO memo, which would document the traffic rule violation.

KJ Dhaduk, Police Inspector at Surat City ACB, shed light on the prevalence of such corrupt practices within the Surat city traffic police and TRB personnel. These officials had been allegedly coercing vehicle drivers into parting with their money by threatening them with the prospect of RTO memos and hefty fines.

The bribe amounts varied significantly, ranging from Rs 100 to as high as Rs 3,000, depending on the condition of the vehicle and the financial standing of the vehicle owner. Notably, these corrupt practices were carried out without any official receipts being issued to the victims.

“The action taken by the ACB in apprehending Bhavesh Desai sends a strong message that corrupt practices within the traffic police force will not be tolerated. Authorities are determined to root out these unlawful activities and ensure that citizens can navigate the city’s roads without fear of harassment or extortion” said Dhaduk.