Addtional SHO arrested while accepting Rs 1 lakh bribe in Patna

Patna: An additional SHO of Janipur police station in Patna district was arrested by the Special Vigilance Unit (SVU) on Wednesday while allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs 1 lakh. He is accused of demanding money from a complainant to settle a land dispute.

The complainant, Kaushal Kishore of Janipur, alleged that the officer, Sanjay Singh, had initially demanded Rs 5 lakh, which was later negotiated to Rs 2 lakh. Kishore subsequently filed a complaint with the SVU.

On Wednesday, Singh reached a plot at Koriyawan in Mohammadpur panchayat, Gajachak, for a land survey. As he accepted Rs 1 lakh, the SVU team caught him red-handed.

Officials said Singh attempted to draw his pistol after being confronted, but ASI Ravi Kumar intervened and restrained him. The ASI sustained minor injuries during the struggle.

DSP Arunoday Pandey said the complaint was received two days earlier and preliminary verification found the allegations prima facie correct, following which a trap was laid. “He had come to fix boundary pegs and was taking money for the work when arrested,” Pandey said.

Kishore also alleged the presence of a land mafia operating in the Janipur area, claiming links with some police personnel. He said victims in land disputes are often pressured for money. These allegations, however, have not been officially confirmed.