In a major anti-corruption operation, a revenue amin posted at the Shahabad tehsil was arrested on Saturday while allegedly accepting a bribe of ₹15,000. The money was reportedly demanded in exchange for submitting a favorable report on a ‘no-dues’ certificate required for the renewal of an arms licence. The Anti-Corruption Team apprehended the accused immediately after he accepted the marked currency notes from the complainant.
15-Day Harassment Precedes Bribe Trap
The complainant, Hasmuddin, a native of Zahidpur village currently residing in Moradabad, had lodged a complaint with the Moradabad unit of the Anti-Corruption Organization. He alleged that collection revenue amin Prem Shankar Tiwari, posted at Shahabad tehsil, was demanding ₹15,000 to process and forward a positive report for the no-dues certificate necessary for his arms licence renewal.
Taking the complaint seriously, the Anti-Corruption Unit devised a trap. According to Hasmuddin, he had been visiting the tehsil for nearly 15 days but was repeatedly made to run from pillar to post. Frustrated by the delays and the alleged demand for bribe, he formally approached the authorities about four to five days ago. After preliminary verification, the team prepared a strategy to catch the accused in the act.
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Disguised Team Uses Treated ₹500 Notes
On Saturday, Hasmuddin received instructions from the team and was handed over chemically treated ₹500 notes totaling ₹15,000. Some members of the team accompanied him in disguise, posing as farmers with traditional headscarves to avoid raising suspicion. The accused had reportedly asked the complainant to come to his residential quarters located within the tehsil premises.
Red-Handed Arrest at Tehsil Residence
As per officials, the anti-corruption personnel were already positioned nearby. The moment the accused accepted the money, the team rushed in and caught him red-handed. The marked notes were recovered, and standard legal formalities were completed on the spot. The accused was then taken to Shahabad police station for further action.
Lawyers Support Action, Son Claims Mistreatment
Krishna Avatar, in-charge of the trap team of the Anti-Corruption Organization, stated that a case is being registered against the accused under relevant sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act. He emphasized that the trap was executed only after verifying the complaint and that the entire operation was conducted as per established procedures.
Meanwhile, the arrest sparked reactions within the tehsil premises. For the past four days, some lawyers had reportedly been raising concerns about alleged corruption in tehsil offices and courts. When the team escorted the accused away, a few advocates were seen raising slogans in support of the anti-corruption action.
On the other hand, the accused’s son, Rajeev Tiwari, alleged inhumane treatment during the arrest. He claimed that his father is a heart and diabetes patient and was taken away barefoot down the stairs without consideration for his age or medical condition. However, no official response from the Anti-Corruption Team regarding these allegations was immediately available.
Local Demands Stricter Arms Licence Monitoring
The incident led to widespread discussion in the tehsil area throughout the day. Local residents remarked that complaints of unnecessary delays and alleged illegal demands in matters related to arms licences and other certificates have surfaced in the past as well. Authorities have urged citizens to report any instances of bribery or unlawful demands by public servants so that prompt action can be taken.
The accused is expected to be produced before the court as per legal procedure. Further investigation is underway, and additional action will be taken based on the evidence gathered during the probe.
About the author – Rehan Khan is a law student and legal journalist with a keen interest in cybercrime, digital fraud, and emerging technology laws. He writes on the intersection of law, cybersecurity, and online safety, focusing on developments that impact individuals and institutions in India.
