Thane: Police Inspector Evades Arrest in Bribe Demand, Constable Caught Red-Handed

Mumbai, January 18, 2024 – A startling case has emerged within the Economic Offence Wing (EOW) of the Mira Bhayander Vasai Virar Police Commissionerate, as a police inspector is alleged to have demanded a hefty bribe for bail in a criminal case. The situation took a dramatic turn when a policeman from the Bhayander Police Station was caught accepting a portion of the bribe, leading to a swift operation by the Thane Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB).

The accused police inspector, identified as Mahendra Shelar, from the EOW, allegedly demanded a bribe of Rs 50 lakh to secure bail for a complainant and his accomplice, thereby avoiding arrest and assisting in their case.

In a compromise agreement, the bribe amount was settled at Rs 35 lakh. The complainant, unwilling to comply with the demand, reported the matter to the Thane Anti-Corruption Department. Subsequently, the ACB team conducted a thorough verification and set up a trap to catch the corrupt officers.

The ACB team successfully caught Police Constable Ganesh Wanve from the EOW red-handed while accepting Rs 15 lakh as the first instalment of the bribe. However, Police Inspector Mahendra Shelar managed to evade arrest, realizing that the ACB had initiated action.

Cases under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 have been registered against both Police Inspector Mahendra Shelar and Police Constable Ganesh Wanve at Mira Road Police Station. While Ganesh Wanve has been arrested, efforts are underway to apprehend the fugitive police officer.

The Mumbai Police Force is reeling from the shock of this scandal, and authorities are actively involved in the investigation. Thane Zone Superintendent of Police Sunil Lokhande and his team, including Upper Superintendent of Police Anil Gherdikar and Upper Superintendent of Police Sudhakar Suradkar, are overseeing the case. The police are working diligently to locate and apprehend the fugitive police inspector, Mahendra Shelar.