Intensifying its crackdown against corruption in Rajasthan, the Anti-Corruption Bureau executed a major operation in Banswara district. The agency arrested Sandeep Kumar Nanavati, a first-grade clerk and reader working in the Chief Judicial Magistrate court, alongside homeguard driver Rahul Chandel, for allegedly taking a bribe of 40,000 rupees. The sudden action has sent ripples through the local judicial department and administrative circles, exposing corrupt practices within the court system.
The Complaint and Demands for Illegal Gratification
The entire scandal came to light following a formal complaint filed by a female complainant. According to the allegations, the accused demanded money in exchange for ensuring that her bail would not be cancelled, preventing a conviction in her ongoing trial, and offering future assistance in legal matters. Upon receiving this grievance, the anti-corruption agency initiated a discreet verification process. During this verification, the demand for 40,000 rupees was officially confirmed. Additionally, investigators found that the accused had previously extracted 2,000 rupees under the guise of miscellaneous expenses.
The Planned Trap and Arrests
Armed with verified information regarding the illegal payoffs, an anti-corruption team laid an elaborate trap to catch the perpetrators red-handed. During the coordinated operation, homeguard driver Rahul Chandel was caught on the spot while accepting the 40,000 rupee bribe amount. Based on subsequent questioning and gathered evidence, court reader Sandeep Kumar Nanavati was also placed under arrest for his central role in the extortion scheme. Investigators are now probing the exact extent of involvement for both individuals and examining whether any other personnel within the judicial ecosystem aided them.
Residential Searches and Ongoing Investigation
According to Anti-Corruption Bureau Director General Govind Gupta, the operation was conducted as part of the ongoing statewide campaign against corruption. The trap was executed under the supervision of Udaipur Range Superintendent of Police Piyush Dixit, led by Deputy Superintendent of Police Ratan Singh Rajpuroth. Following the arrests, search operations were launched at the residential properties of both suspects. The agency has formally registered a case under the Prevention of Corruption Act and launched a comprehensive investigation to uncover further details and accomplices.
