In a startling incident that has shocked both the police force and the public, a senior officer of the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) was arrested for accepting a bribe just an hour after delivering a public speech on honesty, transparency and public vigilance. The officer, identified as Bhairulal Meena, was serving as Deputy Commissioner of Police with the ACB in Sawai Madhopur.
Earlier in the day, Meena had addressed a gathering on the occasion of International Anti-Corruption Day. In his speech, he urged citizens to report corruption and assured that the ACB helpline 1064 was always open to assist those seeking justice. Within moments of presenting himself as a champion of clean governance, he was caught engaging in the very act he condemned.
Trap laid after repeated complaints
According to ACB Director General B. L. Soni, Meena had been under scrutiny for a period of time. The bureau had received several complaints alleging that he was coercing officials in the Transport Department to pay him monthly bribes. Acting on these inputs, the ACB headquarters in Jaipur organised a special trap team to investigate the matter covertly.
The team coordinated with a District Transport Officer, identified as Mukesh Chand, who had reportedly been instructed to hand over a payment of ₹80,000. When the exchange took place, Meena was caught red-handed with the bribe amount in his possession, leaving no room for dispute or explanation.
Irony that stunned the state
The sequence of events — from lecturing citizens about rooting out corruption to being arrested moments later for participating in it — triggered widespread disbelief. Images and reports of the arrest spread quickly across social media platforms, fuelling public anger and ridicule.
For many, the incident served as a symbolic reflection of the challenges India continues to face in tackling corruption: even agencies dedicated to fighting malpractices are not immune to them. The irony also sparked commentary on how deeply institutional integrity needs to be reinforced at all levels.
Arrest and legal action
Following his arrest, Meena was taken into custody and booked under relevant sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act. District Transport Officer Mukesh Chand, who handed over the bribe, was also arrested for participating in the transaction.
Officials stated that internal records will be examined to ascertain whether the bribe-taking pattern had continued over time and whether other individuals were involved or victimised. Further investigations are in progress to build a comprehensive case.
A blow to public trust
The arrest has raised uncomfortable questions about accountability within anti-corruption agencies, often expected to act as watchdogs over the state machinery. Public trust, already under strain due to periodic corruption scandals, has taken another hit.
Civil society members and transparency advocates have urged for stronger internal checks, mandatory rotation of officers, and independent oversight mechanisms that prevent concentration of unchecked power within specialised policing units.
Call for systemic reforms
While the immediate legal process continues, the incident has reignited a wider debate about the structural roots of corruption. Observers emphasise that arresting individuals alone may not be sufficient unless structural reforms — including stricter monitoring, enhanced whistleblower protection and real-time audit systems — are implemented across departments.
The case has also highlighted the importance of anonymous complaint channels, as it was multiple citizen reports that led to the trap and eventual arrest. The credibility and accessibility of helplines like 1064 will continue to be crucial in the fight against corruption.