Naroda Constable Caught on Video Demanding ₹3.5 Lakh Bribe to Settle Bootlegging Case
Summarized by AI; it may make mistakes. Check important info
Summarized by AI; it may make mistakes. Check important info
A police constable attached to the Naroda police station in Ahmedabad has landed in hot water after a video surfaced showing him negotiating a ₹3.5 lakh bribe with an absconding bootlegger to hush up a fresh liquor seizure case.
The viral recording comes at a time when the Ahmedabad City Police Commissioner has ordered strict action against the illicit liquor trade across the city following the recent Bhavnagar hooch tragedy.
Raided First, Negotiated Later
The case stems from a raid conducted on 24 August by a patrol team behind Naroda City Centre. Constables Janakbhai Punjabhai, Lalubhai, Vishalhai, and Piyushkumar intercepted a car carrying 43 bottles of Indian-Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL), arresting the driver, Chirag Zala. Two accomplices, Harun Shaikh and Asif alias Tiwari, managed to flee the spot.
Police seized goods worth ₹5.18 lakh, including the car and liquor quarters, and registered an FIR. However, behind the scenes, Constable Janak reached out to the fleeing bootleggers over the phone to cut a deal.
In the recorded phone conversation, Constable Janak is heard cautioning the bootlegger that an offer of ₹1.5 lakh was far too low. "If the suppliers from Rajasthan get named, a small amount will not work," the constable tells the suspect. "If we settle this properly now, it builds mutual trust for future business. The inspector is demanding ₹6 lakh to ₹8 lakh, but I will try to settle it for around ₹3 lakh to ₹3.5 lakh."
Janak further leveraged the seized brand, Royal Stag, telling the suspect that the mere mention of the label was enough to push a heavy case through court.
New Station House Officer Promises Strict Action
The scandal broke just two days after a new Police Inspector, B.M. Katariya, took charge of the Naroda police station following a recent raid by the State Monitoring Cell (SMC).
"The video clip has come to my notice. Constable Janak is posted at Naroda, though I am new here and have not met him personally yet," said Inspector Katariya. "He is seen dropping my designation to strike a deal. I have summoned him for questioning. If his involvement is established, I will take stern disciplinary measures and escalate the matter to the DCP."
When contacted, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone 4) Atul Bansal stated that the department was examining the details of the viral video and would initiate an inquiry into the constable's conduct.
