Gujarat ACB books cop for extorting Rs 2 lakh, threatening live-in couple with ‘love jihad’ case
Gandhinagar: The Gujarat Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has registered a case against a police inspector and arrested his aide for allegedly demanding and accepting a bribe of Rs 2 lakh from a man by threatening to implicate him in a “love jihad” case under the provisions of the Gujarat Freedom of Religion Act.
According to a report by The Indian Express, the accused have been identified as police inspector V A Charan, who was posted at the Padra police station in Vadodara Rural, and his aide, Sajid Ali Gulamrasul Syed.
According to the ACB, the case began after a dispute between a man and his live-in partner at their residence in rural Vadodara. Following the altercation, the woman contacted the 112 helpline, after which both individuals, who are in their 30s, were taken to the Padra police station. Based on the woman’s complaint, the man was placed under preventive detention for 24 hours.
ACB Inspector Ankur Prajapati stated that after the detention, the woman informed the police that the couple had reached a compromise and she wanted to take the man back home.
He said, "at that point, inspector Charan asked the man to pay Rs 6 lakh, warning that otherwise he would be booked under a ‘love jihad’ case."
The officer further said that the man, who works as a cook’s helper, told the inspector that he did not have such an amount.
He added, "the inspector then involved a middleman, Sajid Ali Syed, and asked him to speak to the complainant."
Explaining the alleged plan, Prajapati said, "as part of their plan, Syed acted as if he was negotiating on behalf of the man and told him that he had reduced the demanded amount to Rs 2 lakh."
The ACB said that over the next three days, between April 12 and April 15, the accused repeatedly contacted the man, asking him to arrange the money or face the “love jihad” case.
Prajapati said, "after being released from preventive detention, the man went back to live with the woman and planned to mortgage some gold ornaments to arrange the money. Later, he decided to approach the ACB."
Following the complaint, the ACB set up a trap. Prajapati said, "we set a trap at Akshar chowk in Vadodara on April 16 evening, and caught Syed red-handed while accepting the bribe amount."
The ACB also seized Syed’s mobile phone. According to the agency, it contained a recorded conversation between Syed and the inspector, in which Syed informed him that he had received the money.
Based on the findings, both the inspector and his aide have been booked. Syed has been arrested, while inspector Charan is currently absconding. The ACB has initiated a search operation to locate and arrest him.
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Tumakuru: Dalit family allegedly prevented from entering temple; accused arrested
Tumakuru: Police in Turuvekere have arrested a 65-year-old man for allegedly obstructing a Dalit family from entering a temple and making caste-based remarks, officials said on Saturday.
The accused, identified as Rajanna, has been booked under provisions of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act based on a complaint filed by Rangaramu T. of Thuyalahalli village.
According to the FIR, the incident took place on April 18 around 5:30 pm when Rangaramu T. and his family visited the Sri Ranganathaswamy temple in Mallur village to offer prayers. It states that the accused allegedly objected to their entry and made remarks referring to caste hierarchy and questioning their presence inside the temple premises.
The FIR further states that the accused made additional remarks asserting that such entry into the temple was not permitted and asked the family to leave. It also mentions that the complainant was subjected to mental harassment through these statements.
Following the complaint, DySP Om Prakash Gowda along with revenue officials and police visited the spot and conducted an inspection.
Further investigation is underway.
