Mumbai: Police inspector who took Rs 22 lakh bribe suspended

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Police inspector Anand Bhoir, who was arrested by the ACB for allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs 22 lakh, was suspended on Thursday, police said. Bhoir, attached to the Crime Branch, and his driver were caught while allegedly accepting Rs 22 lakh in cash from a liquor shop owner on Tuesday.

After the arrest, he was suspended from service and orders were issued by the office of the Commissioner of Police, he said. The 43-year-old officer was deputed at Andheri unit of the Crime Branch and was nabbed by ACB officers after a chase in an auto-rickshaw, he said.

According to the sources of ACB, Bhoir was not co-operating with the investigation. His car was searched and 12 credit cards, property related papers in his wife's name were found. Bhoir allegedly has a shop in Kashi Mira and there is a trust that is operated in the name of his father. The police found one locker in New India oriental Bank which is yet to be opened. The police have however contacted the National Securities Depository Ltd (NSDL) to get details on whether he has demat accounts. Few documents of gold loans were also found. The ACB also found a multi-room flat of approximately Rs 1.3 crore which is in Mira-Road.

Bhoir was investigating a case of liquor seizure in which he allegedly threatened a liquor shop owner, saying an FIR will be filed against him and his brother and demanded a bribe of Rs 25 lakh for not doing so, the official said. After negotiation, the liquor shop owner agreed to give Rs 22 lakh, following which a trap was laid by the ACB and Bhoir was arrested while accepting the bribe amount, he said.

On Friday Bhoir was produced before the court where he was remanded jail custody till January 17. Meanwhile, his advocate has filed a bail application.

-with inputs from PTI

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