Mumbai: Vakola police under radar after policeman caught for bribery

The Vakola police have come under criticism for its alleged participation in an incident where an Assistant Police Inspector (API) was caught red-handed by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) while accepting a bribe from an accused on Monday night.

According to a police source, the man giving the bribe was recently picked up by the Vakola police team and was put behind bars. A complaint was filed under section 324 of the Indian Penal Code for voluntarily causing grievous injury to another person. Although he had secured an anticipatory bail from the court, he wanted to settle the score with the police who he had accused of treating him badly.

"API Pandurang Pithe called up the person as per the directions of his senior officers from the police station and offered him a deal to let him go off from the case in return of Rs 20,000 as a bribe. The man initially refused but later gave his consent and came with Rs 10,000 as the first installment of the bribe along with a mediator identified as Ganesh Surve. The ACB sleuths got a tip about the matter after which two teams arrived on the spot and caught Pithe red-handed. His service revolver was seized along with his laptop and his office was thoroughly searched by the ACB officials," said a police officer requesting anonymity.

As per police reports, the ACB along with the Vakola police team is investigating the case and is taking necessary action against all accused and suspects.