Serving head constable in Ahmedabad booked in corruption case for disproportionate assets
In a significant first for the city, a corruption case has been registered at a police station in Ahmedabad against a serving head constable for possessing assets disproportionate to his known sources of income. The accused, identified as Head Constable Vijay Mali, is alleged to have amassed property and investments worth over ₹1.34 crore, despite declaring an income of only ₹1.2 crore.
The case, filed at Ranip police station, comes in the wake of a wider crackdown on graft within the force and marks the first instance where such charges have been registered directly within a police station in the city. The development has sent ripples through the local police department, raising serious concerns about financial improprieties among its ranks.
Investigations revealed that Mali had acquired several immovable properties across Ahmedabad and other regions, as well as made substantial personal investments. The financial mismatch was flagged during a routine audit by the Anti-Corruption Bureau and later confirmed through a detailed probe.
During the search of Mali’s residence and workplace, investigators found evidence of properties and transactions far exceeding what could be justified by his official salary. This included land purchases, residential plots, and a fleet of vehicles registered in his name over the past decade.
The authorities have pegged the excess wealth at ₹31.6 lakh—around 23.5% higher than his legitimate earnings—triggering provisions under Sections 13(1)(e) and 13(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.
According to sources within the department, Mali had served in postings across the city over the years. His current posting in Ranip became the focal point of the investigation after his financial activities drew scrutiny.
The inquiry is being spearheaded by the Assistant Commissioner of Police, 'L' Division, under the supervision of the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Zone 2. Authorities have confirmed that further investigation is ongoing and more disclosures are expected in the coming days.
Senior officials have stated that such action is part of a broader effort to uphold transparency and accountability in the police force. “This is a stern message to all personnel that corruption will not be tolerated at any level,” a top official said.
The case is being closely monitored by the police commissioner’s office, and it is expected that the findings will have wider ramifications on internal reviews and auditing practices across departments.