Nagpur ACB trap fails to recover bribe money, second policeman flees hospital

A trap laid by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) in Nagpur district at Jaripatka police station on September 16 has raised several questions. The ACB team had planned to catch Head Constable Sachin Manikrao Tayde (48) red-handed taking a bribe. Tayde was caught, but not red-handed, as the bribe money was not recovered from him.

The case began with a complaint. A relative had filed a complaint against the 23-year-old complainant at Jaripatka police station, and the police registered a non-cognisable (NC) case against him. The investigation was assigned to Tayde of the NC investigation unit.

The complainant alleges that Tayde and his colleague, Constable Manish Uttam Meshram (30), threatened him severely. He was told that a criminal case would be registered against him and that officers had ordered strict action. He was then asked for a bribe of Rs 40,000 for cooperating. As talks progressed, the deal was settled at Rs 20,000.

The ACB team first verified the demand for the bribe. A trap was then laid to catch both men red-handed. The complainant was instructed to signal only after handing over the money. Sachin asked him to place the money on his table and kept talking. Two minutes later, Tayde picked up the cash with a piece of newspaper, put it in his pocket and went downstairs.

As soon as the complainant signalled, the ACB team followed Tayde to his room. But when he was apprehended, the money was not with him. The ACB's first priority was to seize the money from Sachin, but the bribe money had vanished.

The moment Tayde was caught, Meshram suddenly had a fit and began convulsing. He was sent for treatment but managed to escape from the hospital. He has not been found by the ACB since.

The ACB produced Tayde in court the next day and got five days' custody to collect key evidence. He was later sent to custody for two more days. But Tayde is himself a policeman and knows the legal loopholes. Till the end he told nothing about the money.

The question now is how far the case will hold up in court, when neither the bribe money has been found nor the second accused caught.

Meanwhile, the complainant has been left isolated. When the bribe demand came to light, several people had encouraged him, including some from politics and social work. Now that the whole case has gone awry, all of them have distanced themselves. He fears that Tayde and Meshram may harm him. He believes both will return to service in future and that he could be framed in a false case. He also fears for his life. It remains to be seen how strongly the law stands behind him, or people will hesitate to complain to the ACB, especially against the police department.

Digambar Pradhan, superintendent of police of the ACB in Nagpur district, said the investigation is continuing and is being carried out with full seriousness. He said it has not been established where the bribe money went. Despite being a policeman, Sachin did not cooperate with the investigation. His report is being given to the city police. According to Pradhan, the ACB is with the complainant and he need not fear anyone.