In a strict anti-corruption action, the Lokayukta has formally registered an FIR against four individuals, which prominently includes a former inspector of the Indore Crime Branch. The accused are facing serious charges of demanding an illegal bribe amounting to 1.20 lakh rupees in exchange for rescuing a young man from impending legal action and securing his release. Incidents highlighting administrative corruption within law enforcement agencies continue to draw intense public scrutiny across the region.
Previous Incident at Chhatarpur Police Station
Such instances of alleged corruption and harassment often have severe repercussions, echoing a similar high-voltage episode that previously unfolded within the Chhatarpur district's Maharajpur police station premises. In that distressing case, a young woman driven to utter despair by a lack of justice consumed poison right inside the police station itself. Prompt intervention by personnel present at the scene ensured she was immediately rushed to a local health facility for urgent medical treatment. These recurring events underscore deep-seated systemic issues regarding accountability and civilian safety.
The Core Allegations Originating from Regal Square Office
The current corruption case centers around the Crime Branch office located near Regal Square in Indore. Complainant Priti Hazari formally approached the Lokayukta on April 2, 2026, alleging that her son, Pranjal Hazari, had been summoned to the Crime Branch office in connection with an ongoing inquiry. According to her statement, the officials demanded illegal gratification to settle the matter amicably without pursuing formal charges against him.
Breakdown of Digital and Cash Transactions
According to details embedded in the official complaint, the bribe money exchanged hands through a combination of digital transfers and physical cash. Specifically, on March 20, an amount of 50,800 rupees was transferred digitally via UPI to a private individual identified as Deepak Patel, while the remaining 70,000 rupees was handed over in cash. Following the receipt of these formal accusations, investigating authorities conducted a rigorous technical examination of the digital footprints and evidence provided.
Legal Sections Applied Against the Four Accused
After verifying the authenticity of the complaint and analyzing the submitted technical evidence, the Lokayukta substantiated the claims and officially registered the case on August 24. The FIR names four specific individuals: former Crime Branch inspector Sujit Srivastava, former constable Abhay Singh, Vikas Saindhav, and the private individual Deepak Patel. The accused have been booked under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 2018, along with Section 61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, triggering comprehensive investigation protocols.
Lokayukta Officials Outline Next Steps in the Probe
Lokayukta official Ashutosh Mithas emphasized that the entire episode is anchored to the Regal Square Crime Branch office and reaffirmed that relentless actions against corrupt practices will persist. With the formal registration of the FIR, investigators are expected to trace every trail of financial transactions, record detailed statements from witnesses, and thoroughly analyze digital and banking records to determine the exact degree of involvement of each accused person in the extortion racket.
