Jodhpur: A trap set by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) in Phalodi ended in chaos Monday night, as the head constable allegedly destroyed key evidence and fled the scene, prompting serious concerns about the operational efficacy of the agency.According to ACB officials, head constable Shravan Kumar was accused of soliciting a bribe of Rs 30,000 from complainant Kamal Kishore Mali. The bribe was related to a case involving illegal possession of poppy husk, with Kumar allegedly offering to provide relief to Mali in exchange for the payment and promising not to seek his police remand in court. Upon receiving the complaint, the ACB initiated verification procedures and coordinated a trap. Mali was equipped with a recording device to document conversations with the head constable. However, as the trap unfolded, Kumar sensed it and allegedly got aggressive with the complainant. He allegedly snatched the recording device from Mali and destroyed it, eliminating crucial evidence against himself. Witnesses say Kumar also assaulted the complainant before making a hasty escape before the ACB team moved in. Sources said that the accused may have absconded with additional documents relevant to the trap. In response to the unexpected escalation and the loss of evidence, local police launched an extensive search operation and established checkpoints in surrounding areas, but Kumar’s whereabouts remained unknown as of Tuesday evening. The incident marks a significant setback for the ACB, not only due to the failure to arrest the suspect but also because crucial evidence essential for the case might have been obliterated. Superintendent of Police (SP) Satnam Singh confirmed Tuesday that a case has been registered against head constable Kumar at the Phalodi police station, citing charges of obstructing public duty, destruction of evidence, assault, and offenses under the Prevention of Corruption Act. “We are taking this incident seriously and have constituted special teams to track down and apprehend the absconding head constable at the earliest,” Singh said.
