In a significant step against corruption within law enforcement, a Rajasthan court has sent a serving constable and a private middleman to judicial custody after the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) filed a chargesheet accusing them of demanding a ₹7 lakh bribe. The case relates to an alleged attempt to weaken an NDPS Act case in Jhalawar district.
The accused—Constable Devendra Kumar and alleged middleman Dharmendra Kumar—were present in court when the chargesheet was submitted on Tuesday. Following the hearing, the court ordered both to be lodged in Kota Central Jail under judicial remand.
Alleged Demand to Dilute NDPS Case
According to the ACB, the bribe demand was linked to an NDPS Act case in which the complainant’s father had been arrested by Mandawar police station in Jhalawar. Investigators allege that the then-posted constable, Devendra Kumar, sought ₹7 lakh through a private intermediary—Dharmendra Kumar, also known as Mahendra—in exchange for weakening the case.
Although the bribe was allegedly demanded, officials say the money was never accepted, possibly because the accused suspected surveillance by the ACB.
Complaint, Verification, and Legal Process
The matter dates back to 2023, when the ACB received a formal complaint. A verification exercise confirmed the demand for illegal gratification, after which a case was registered and forwarded for further legal action. The initial probe was conducted by DSP Vijay Singh, and subsequent investigation responsibilities were handled by Additional SP Gopal Singh Kanawat of ACB Kota Rural.
After completing the investigation and securing prosecution sanction from Jhalawar SP Amit Kumar Budaniya, the ACB moved the court. The chargesheet was formally presented by Assistant Director of Prosecution Jaya Gautam before the ACB court in Kota.
Who the Accused Are
Devendra Kumar, Constable, originally from Kharkhada village under Rajgarh police station, Alwar district
Dharmendra Kumar, private individual, resident of Bhandahera village under Kaithoon police station
Officials emphasized that the case proceeded strictly as per procedure, even though the bribe amount did not exchange hands.
