The Mumbai unit of the Maharashtra Anti Corruption Bureau has registered an FIR against the senior police inspector of JJ Marg police station for allegedly demanding a bribe.
The complainant is a history-sheeter who was recently contacted by senior police inspector Shirish Gaikwad. Mr. Gaikwad told him that action would have to be taken against him under the Maharashtra Prevention of Dangerous Activities of Slumlords, Bootleggers, Drug Offenders and Dangerous Persons Act (MPDA). Action under the MPDA involves anything from detention to externment from city limits for a specified period of time.
“The complainant said Mr. Gaikwad demanded ₹ 2 lakh from him in exchange for not taking action against him, after which he approached us. We then set about verifying his claims,” an ACB officer said.
Acting on the ACB’s instructions, the complainant contacted Mr. Gaikwad and expressed willingness to pay the bribe amount. In a conversation monitored by the ACB, Mr. Gaikwad, too, said he was willing to accept the amount, after which an offence of demanding illegal gratification under the Prevention of Corruption Act was registered against him.
ACB officials said Mr. Gaikwad has not been arrested as inquiries are still under way.
Meanwhile, Joint Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) Vinoy Kumar Choubey said Mr. Gaikwad has been suspended from the service with immediate effect.