Jhalwar ACB trap: Excise inspector arrested for taking Rs 50,000 bribe

Jaipur: The Rajasthan anti-corruption bureau (ACB) on Thursday arrested an excise department inspector after he was allegedly caught taking a bribe of Rs 50,000 in Jhalawar. The inspector was demanding the bribe from a liquor shop owner for not causing any legal and administrative troubles and allowing him to run his shop uninterrupted. The inspector, identified as Virendra Choudhary was booked under various sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act. ACB officials said that further investigation is going on.

According to a senior ACB official, the liquor shop owner had registered a complaint alleging that inspector Virendra Choudhary was harassing him and demanding a monthly amount of Rs 50,000 to let him run his shop without any legal and administrative hassles.

“We verified the complaint and then laid a trap. Choudhary was caught red-handed taking Rs 50,000 on Thursday. Virendra Choudhary who is posted in Jhalawar excise department as inspector has been arrested and booked under relevant section of the Prevention of Corruption Act. Further investigation is going on,” said the officer.

There had been cases of excise department officials demanding money from liquor shops in the past. Sources said that it’s a standard practice for liquor shop owners to pay to local excise department officials. Those who don’t pay are harassed.