ACB cracks down on Surat cops over two bribery allegations: Apprehends one, arrests accomplice; second official on the run

According to ACB sources, Wala had served as a police inspector at the Kunwada police station in Rajkot in 2012. The case pertains to a land deal involving a local jeweller who purchased six acres of agricultural land for Rs 91 lakh. The jeweller initially paid Rs 60 lakh and entered into an agreement to pay the remaining amount over time. However, as land prices surged, the seller, Sambhu Talpara, allegedly conspired with Inspector Wala to renege on the sale.

Talpara and Inspector Wala allegedly threatened the jeweller forcing him to cancel the land agreement. Talpara returned the initial payment of Rs 60 lakh to the jeweller. Inspector Wala then, purportedly, demanded a bribe of Rs 10 lakh from the jeweller under the threat of framing him in a false case. After negotiations, Wala and his associate — Head Constable Hiteshbhai Asura — settled for Rs 7.50 lakh.

On December 9, 2020, Asura allegedly collected the bribe from the jeweller’s office who subsequently, filed a complaint with the Rajkot ACB police leading to an investigation. Recent forensic evidence confirmed Asura’s involvement through handprints. Based on Asura’s statements, Rajkot Rural ACB officials apprehended Inspector Wala in Surat and brought him to Rajkot for further proceedings.

In a separate case, Vadodara ACB officials acted on a complaint and arrested Piyush Rai, an associate of PSI Chosla while accepting a bribe of Rs 10 lakh. According to the police, PSI Chosla had summoned the owner of a tours and travel firm from Surat on September 12 under the pretext of an application. He threatened to implicate the owner in a case related to the application and demanded Rs 10 lakh to avoid the false charges. He also refused to negotiate.

Fearing the PSI’s collusion with the Surat ACB, the complainant contacted the Vadodara ACB office and filed a complaint. Acting on a plan devised by Vadodara ACB officials, the complainant arranged to hand over the bribe money to PSI Chosla. Chosla directed the complainant to give the money to either one Nilesh Bharwad or Piyush Rai. On Sunday evening, when the complainant was in Mota Varachha with the bribe amount, Nilesh Bharwad and Piyush Rai arrived. Nilesh grew suspicious and remained at a distance, while Piyush Rai accepted the bribe of Rs 10 lakh.

The ACB officials, who were in the vicinity, swiftly took action and apprehended Rai who, during interrogation, named Chosla. This prompted ACB investigators to visit his residence and the Utran police station. However, he could not be located.

The ACB officials have initiated a search for PSI Chosla and Nilesh Bharwad in connection with this case.