Ahmedabad: The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) of Gujarat on Tuesday successfully trapped six individuals, including advocates and contractual staff, at the Sub-Registrar’s Office in Sabarmati-13, located within the Collectorate Office Compound in the city. The operation, initiated based on a complaint from a citizen, led to the recovery of ₹74,500 out of a demanded bribe of ₹75,000.

The sting operation, busted a network allegedly involved in demanding bribes for processing property documents. As per the ACB, the complainant’s brother had passed away unmarried, and since there were no direct lineal heirs, the names of other siblings were recorded as rightful claimants. To execute a release deed in their favor, the complainant approached accused Rajeshkumar alias Rajabhai Prabhubhai Prajapati (30), an advocate. Initially, Rajeshkumar charged ₹14,850 as fees via Google Pay and also collected the standard document registration charges.

However, when the document processing stalled, the complainant inquired about the delay. Rajeshkumar told complainant that there was a “query” in the heir certificate and demanded ₹75,000, claiming it was for the Sabarmati-13 Sub-Registrar to resolve the issue.

Unwilling to pay the bribe, the complainant contacted the ACB, which set up a trap. During the trap following Rajeshkumar’s instructions, Kush Rajubhai Mehta (34), a citizen, and Bharatiben Motibhai Parmar (49), an advocate demanded and accepted the bribe amount of ₹75,000 from the complainant at the Sub-Registrar’s Office.

After that Bharatiben allegedly distributed the money among other employees within the Sub-Registrar’s Office. During the subsequent recovery, ₹33,500 was found on Bharatiben Parmar, ₹40,500 on Dalpatsinh Gadaji Thakor (42), a contractual computer operator, and ₹500 on Khyatiben Dineshbhai Joshi (42), a contractual scanning operator.

However, Baldev alias Bakulbhai Parmar, another contractual operator, managed to flee the scene with ₹500, taking advantage of the crowd at the Sub-Registrar’s Office. Efforts are underway to apprehend Baldev Parmar and recover the remaining amount.

The ACB is also investigating whether any other individuals are involved in this bribery case. All the accused, except Baldev, have been detained, and further investigative procedures are ongoing. DeshGujarat