The Uttar Pradesh Anti-Corruption Organisation on Wednesday arrested a police sub-inspector and a constable posted at the Kashi Vidyapeeth police outpost under Sigra police station in Varanasi while they were allegedly accepting a bribe of ₹20,000 to weaken and eventually close a dowry harassment case.
The accused have been identified as Shivakar Mishra, in-charge sub-inspector of the outpost, and Gaurav Dwivedi, a constable. Both were taken into custody during a trap operation conducted by the anti-corruption team and have been booked under provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act at Lalpur–Pandeypur police station. Senior police officials later confirmed that both personnel have been placed under suspension.
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Demand of ₹50,000 to end case
According to officials, the sub-inspector had allegedly demanded ₹50,000 from an accused in a dowry harassment case in exchange for closing the investigation. The complainant was first asked to pay ₹20,000, with the remaining amount to be paid later.
The case in question was registered on August 6 last year at Sigra police station on a complaint filed by Mamta Gupta, a resident of Harinagar in Chanduya (Chhittupur). She had accused her husband Prahlad Gupta and six members of her in-laws’ family of dowry harassment and assault.
Mamta Gupta alleged that her husband had earlier spent nearly a year in jail in a separate dowry case registered at Cholapur police station. After his release, she claimed, he and other family members pressured her to withdraw the case and subjected her to further violence and threats.
The investigation of the Sigra case had been assigned to sub-inspector Shivakar Mishra, posted at the Kashi Vidyapeeth outpost.
Complaint triggers trap operation
Prahlad Gupta, the accused husband in the case, later approached the Anti-Corruption Organisation with a written complaint. He alleged that the investigating officer had summoned him to the police outpost and demanded ₹50,000 to settle the matter. He further claimed that Mishra threatened to add more serious charges and send him to jail if the money was not paid.
Acting on the complaint, the anti-corruption team laid a trap under the supervision of Inspector Satyaveer Singh. On Wednesday, the team reached the Kashi Vidyapeeth police outpost along with the complainant.
Officials said Prahlad Gupta met sub-inspector Mishra at the outpost, where the demand for money was reiterated. When Gupta attempted to hand over ₹20,000 to the sub-inspector, Mishra allegedly instructed him to give the cash to constable Gaurav Dwivedi instead.
The constable reportedly placed the money in the pocket of his jacket. At that moment, the anti-corruption team moved in and caught both policemen red-handed.
Case registered, suspension ordered
Following the arrests, a formal case was registered against both accused at Lalpur–Pandeypur police station. Deputy Commissioner of Police (Kashi Zone) confirmed that both personnel have been suspended with immediate effect and that departmental proceedings will follow.
Senior officials said the investigation would also examine whether the accused policemen were involved in similar acts of corruption in other cases.
Wife claims officer framed
Meanwhile, the arrest triggered controversy after Shivakar Mishra’s wife, Shivani, released a video alleging that her husband had been falsely implicated. In the video, she claimed that an anti-corruption team member had earlier pressured her husband to “settle” a case and that he was trapped after refusing to comply.
She appealed to the Chief Minister and the Police Commissioner for intervention. Authorities, however, said the allegations would be examined separately. The authenticity of the video could not be independently verified.
Renewed focus on police accountability
The incident has once again put the spotlight on corruption within the police force and the alleged misuse of dowry laws for extortion. Senior officials said strict action would be taken against any personnel found guilty, adding that the anti-corruption drive would continue.
Police have urged citizens to report any demand for illegal gratification, assuring protection to whistle-blowers. Further investigation into the case is underway.
About the author – Ayesha Aayat is a law student and contributor covering cybercrime, online frauds, and digital safety concerns. Her writing aims to raise awareness about evolving cyber threats and legal responses.
