Gaurela: In the Gaurela-Pendra-Marwahi district of Chhattisgarh, the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) team from Bilaspur conducted a raid and caught a revenue inspector red-handed while accepting a bribe of ₹50,000. The operation was launched following a complaint by Ranjit Singh Rathore, a resident of village Andul, who reported that two revenue inspectors—Ghanshyam Bhardwaj and Santosh Kumar Chandrasen—had demanded a bribe for the demarcation of his father’s two-acre agricultural land, as ordered by the Tehsildar of Gaurela.
After verifying the complaint and finding it to be genuine, the ACB devised a plan to trap the officials. When Ranjit contacted Ghanshyam Bhardwaj to hand over the money, he was instead directed to give it to his colleague, Santosh Kumar Chandrasen. On receiving the call from Ranjit, Chandrasen arrived at the spot, sat in his car, and accepted the bribe money. The ACB team, already in place, immediately apprehended him on the spot. He is now facing legal action under the Prevention of Corruption Act.
Meanwhile, Ghanshyam Bhardwaj, the other revenue inspector involved in the bribe demand, managed to flee during the operation. CCTV footage captured him fleeing from behind the office. The ACB has searched his residence, but he has not been found so far. Efforts are ongoing to locate and arrest him.
Despite the unexpected arrest of Santosh Kumar Chandrasen, local villagers and media personnel present expressed their satisfaction, claiming that Chandrasen was well-known for his corrupt practices and influence, to the extent of allegedly orchestrating the transfers of Tehsildars. They affirmed that the right person had been caught and welcomed the ACB’s action.
The ACB is now actively searching for the absconding inspector Ghanshyam Bhardwaj. Officials have indicated that raids may be conducted at the residences of both accused and their properties could be investigated as part of further proceedings.
