Dahod Sarpanch Caught Accepting ₹50,000 Bribe to 'Settle' Liquor Case, ACB Says

The Gujarat Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has arrested the sarpanch of Ankli village in Dahod district for allegedly accepting a ₹50,000 bribe after claiming he could settle a police case involving the seizure of Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL).

The accused, Rameshbhai Bhikhabhai Bariya (48), a farmer and the sarpanch of Ankli village in Devgadh Baria taluka, was caught red-handed during an ACB trap on Tuesday.

Bribe allegedly sought to settle liquor case

According to the ACB, around 15 days ago, police seized a consignment of IMFL from the complainant's agricultural field while the complainant was away from home.

Investigators alleged that Bariya later approached the complainant, claiming that money would have to be paid to the police to close the case.

The accused allegedly offered to act as a middleman and settle the matter for ₹50,000.

Unwilling to pay the bribe, the complainant approached the Anti-Corruption Bureau, following which a trap was organised.

Caught while accepting ₹50,000

During the trap operation, Bariya allegedly reiterated the demand and accepted the ₹50,000 bribe as an intermediary for settling the liquor case.

ACB officials caught him while allegedly accepting the money.

The trap was laid on a road near a pond opposite the Devgadh Baria Taluka Panchayat, leading towards Samdi Circle.

Investigation underway

The operation was conducted by Police Inspector H.P. Karen of the Godhra ACB Police Station under the supervision of Assistant Director B.M. Patel of the ACB Panchmahal Unit.

The investigation is being supervised by Deputy Director Baldev Desai, IPS, of the Anti-Corruption Bureau, Vadodara.

The ACB is carrying out further investigation into the case.