Nagpur: A sub-inspector posted at Sitabuldi police station allegedly escaped an Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) trap after snatching a concealed voice recorder from the complainant and fleeing, leaving investigators without crucial evidence.According to senior ACB officials, the PSI, who had completed his probation barely a month ago, came under the agency’s scanner after a driver alleged that he demanded a ₹30,000 bribe to remove his name from an FIR related to a road accident.The complainant, whose identity has been withheld, alleged that the officer threatened to retain him as an accused unless the bribe was paid. He later approached the ACB with a written complaint, following which officials verified the allegations and decided to lay a trap.As part of the operation, the complainant was fitted with a concealed voice recorder and instructed to meet the PSI near Ganesh Tekdi to hand over the bribe while recording their conversation.However, the PSI allegedly became suspicious during the meeting. He reportedly searched the complainant, discovered the recording device in his pocket, snatched it and fled on his two-wheeler before the ACB team could apprehend him.Senior ACB officials confirmed that no criminal case has been registered against the cop so far. The bureau has, however, decided to recommend a departmental inquiry into his conduct.Officials are also trying to recover the voice recorder and send it for forensic examination in the hope of retrieving any conversation recorded on the device.The incident comes barely a month after the ACB booked a woman PSI in a separate bribery case, raising fresh concerns over alleged corruption within the police force.
