Delhi judge transferred, court official booked as ACB probes bribe-for-bail allegations
New Delhi: The Delhi government's Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) has registered a case under the Prevention of Corruption Act against a court ahlmad (record keeper) following allegations of a bribe-for-bail racket operating in the Rouse Avenue Court. The FIR, filed on May 16, comes amid mounting evidence suggesting a nexus involving demands for large sums of money in exchange for favourable bail orders.
The investigation stems from multiple complaints, including audio recordings, alleging that bribes were solicited to secure bail for accused individuals in a high-profile GST refund fraud case. Though the Special Judge who heard the bail applications has not been named in the FIR, he was transferred to another court on May 20, just four days after the case was registered.
According to *The Indian Express*, the matter first surfaced when the ACB sought permission from the Principal Secretary of the Department of Law, Justice, and Legislative Affairs on January 29 to investigate both the judge and the ahlmad. The request, based on prima facie evidence including recorded conversations and written complaints, was forwarded to the Delhi High Court.
However, the High Court denied permission to probe the judge, citing insufficient material, but allowed the investigation against the court official to continue. The court also stated that the ACB could renew its request for judicial inquiry should further evidence emerge.
Following this directive, the ACB has concentrated its probe on the ahlmad, who has since applied for anticipatory bail. During the hearing, his counsel argued that the FIR was fabricated, while the prosecution maintained that the ahlmad played a central role in facilitating bribe transactions. Prosecutors further contended that releasing him on bail could compromise the ongoing investigation.
The FIR details two key complaints. The first, filed on December 30, 2024, by a relative of one of the accused, alleged a demand of Rs 85 lakh for bail and Rs 1 crore each for other co-accused. A subsequent complaint received in January accused the ahlmad of offering to secure bail for three individuals for Rs 15–20 lakh each.
The High Court Registrar's response, referenced in the FIR, indicates that the court remains open to further action against the judge if new evidence surfaces during the probe.
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Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao criticizes Centre for steep hike in commercial LPG price
Bengaluru: Karnataka Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao has slammed the BJP government in the Centre for the hike in the price of commercial LPG, saying the sudden rise of the fuel rate by Rs 993 a cylinder has hit the common man hard.
Critically commenting that this was expected of the Centre after elections to five states, Rao posted in Kannada on his ‘X’ account on Saturday that the people have been shown only the trailer and, the real struggle is yet to begin.
“Since there is no election in any state, there will certainly be major hikes in the rates of petrol, diesel and domestic LPG in barely a few days,” he has predicted.
The minister has further tweeted, “The rate of commercial LPG has gone up to Rs 3,152 per cylinder, which will hit the hotel industry greatly. Ironically, the direct impact of the hike will be on customers of hotel.”
He pointed out that, earlier, the price used to be hiked by approximately Rs 50 and Rs 100 a cylinder. “This time, the rate has been shot up by Rs 993. What do we call this except daylight robbery? Can this be the ‘Acche Din’ that the BJP has been promising?” Rao asked mockingly.
He also questioned the cause for BJP members’ silence for the rate hike, reminding that the party always ‘threw a tantrum’ when a non-BJP government does so even at a minor level. “Does this reflect their fear of ‘Vishwaguru’ Modi? Is it the party’s sheer disregard for the welfare of the people?” he has questioned.
ಊಹಿಸಿದಂತೆಯೇ ಪಂಚರಾಜ್ಯ ಚುನಾವಣೆ ಬಳಿಕ ಕೇಂದ್ರ ಸರ್ಕಾರ ಬೆಲೆಯೇರಿಕೆಯ ಛಾಟಿ ಬೀಸಲು ಪ್ರಾರಂಭಿಸಿದೆ. ಕಮರ್ಷಿಯಲ್ ಸಿಲಿಂಡರ್ ಬೆಲೆಯನ್ನು ಏಕಾಏಕಿ ₹993 ಏರಿಸುವ ಮೂಲಕ ಮರ್ಮಘಾತ ನೀಡಿದೆ. ಚುನಾವಣೆ ಮುಗಿದ ಕೂಡಲೇ ಬೆಲೆಯೇರಿಕೆ ನಿರೀಕ್ಷಿತವಾಗಿತ್ತು. ಆದರೆ ಒಂದೇ ಭಾರಿ ₹993 ಹೆಚ್ಚಳ ಮಾಡಿರುವುದು ಅನಿರೀಕ್ಷಿತದ ಜೊತೆಗೆ ಆಘಾತ ತಂದಿದೆ.…
— Dinesh Gundu Rao/ದಿನೇಶ್ ಗುಂಡೂರಾವ್ (@dineshgrao) May 2, 2026
