Gujarat Court Sentences Two Retired Valsad Cops to 3 Years in 2012 Bribery Case

A court in Gujarat’s Valsad district has sentenced two retired police officials to three years in prison in a bribery case dating back to 2012, observing that corruption by personnel entrusted with public responsibility cannot be treated lightly.

The court convicted former Police Sub-Inspector (PSI) Abdul Majeed Nabdo and Head Constable (HC) Bhupatsinh Keshavsinh under provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act. It said their positions within the police department made their conduct particularly serious and ruled out leniency.

Cops demanded ₹80,000 over seized tempo

The case began with a complaint by Pardi resident Arun Vajera, who alleged that Nabdo and Keshavsinh demanded ₹80,000 from him after a tempo he had previously owned was seized in Karpada for an alleged violation of prohibition laws.

Vajera told the police that he had sold the vehicle to a Thane resident more than a month earlier, on October 11, 2012.

On November 20, he was called to Kaprada police station, where Nabdo allegedly told him that legal action would be taken because the tempo had been caught in a prohibition case.

Vajera said he produced notarised sale documents before the PSI and the head constable. However, Keshavsinh allegedly demanded ₹80,000 from him.

ACB trap led to arrests

Vajera, who works at a private firm, approached the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) and lodged a complaint against the two officials. An offence was registered under Sections 7, 12, 13(1) and 13(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act.

On December 27, 2012, Keshavsinh was caught accepting ₹60,000 at the Pardi sugar factory rest house and arrested. Nabdo was arrested the following day.

The Valsad ACB filed its chargesheet on February 17, 2013, and both accused were released on bail in April that year. Charges were framed against them on September 14, 2018.

Court rejects leniency over officials’ positions

The trial took place before Judge Mohammed Hanif Baig Mirza at the Third Additional Sessions Court in Valsad-Dharampur. Public Prosecutor A R Tripathi presented the case against the two officials, who had retired from service by the time of the trial.

The court said witness statements and evidence produced by the prosecution established the guilt of both accused under the relevant provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act.

In its order, the court observed that the accused had demanded and accepted a bribe while holding important positions in the police department. It said their age could not be a reason to take a lenient view of the offence.

The court also referred to growing public dissatisfaction with corruption in the police force, describing it as an important department of the state.

Case relied on documentary evidence and witness statements

Public Prosecutor A R Tripathi said the prosecution relied on documentary evidence and witness statements to establish the case.

He said there were no mobile phone recordings or call detail records (CDRs). The investigating ACB officer, K S Patel, died a few years ago.

Both convicted officials have since retired from service.