Begumpura inspector is shunted to control room, constable suspended after video shows alleged bribe deal

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: Begumpura police inspector Mangesh Jagtap was shunted out to the control room, and his writer, head constable Ganesh Gaikwad, was suspended after a video, purportedly showing Gaikwad accepting Rs 14 lakh, to "cooperate" in an FIR was widely circulated on social media on Saturday.Police commissioner Pravin Pawar told TOI that the department has taken serious cognisance of the clip, though its authenticity is yet to be verified. "The head constable was suspended while inspector Jagtap was attached to the control room. An inquiry was ordered, and DCP (Zone-I) Pankaj Atulkar will conduct the inquiry," Pawar said.He also confirmed that the person who uploaded the video has two cases of extortion registered against him. Two cases of extortion were registered against him in 2018 and 2023 atthe MIDC Cidco police station.According to police sources, the undated video of writer Gaikwad was allegedly recorded while he was seated inside a car, where he is purportedly seen accepting cash. Another clip, said to be recorded inside Jagtap's chamber at the Begumpura police station, allegedly captured a conversation relating to monetary transactions. While Jagtap is not seen accepting any money in the footage, he can allegedly be heard discussing financial dealings.The alleged bribe is claimed to be linked to an FIR registered at Begumpura police station in June 2025 following directions resulting from proceedings before the Bombay high court. The HC's Aurangabad bench took suo motu cognisance of media reports regarding alleged blasting within a 3-km radius of the Aurangabad Caves, a protected heritage site. Reports claimed that blasting carried out to level agricultural land caused cracks in the caves. Following a suo motu public interest litigation, revenue authorities lodged a complaint in June 2025, and an FIR was registered against the landowner as well as individuals allegedly involved in carrying out the blasting."The inquiry ordered by the city police chief will examine the authenticity of the video, the circumstances under which it was recorded, and whether any illegal gratification was sought or accepted in connection with the blasting case FIR," said a senior officer privy to the inquiry.