Anti-corruption bureau opens office in Palwal amid rising bribery cases
In response to rising corruption cases in the region, the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has opened a branch office in Palwal, marking the second such unit after Faridabad. This move follows the detection of 26 bribery and corruption cases across Faridabad and Palwal districts over the past year.
A senior ACB official stated that the new office would provide easier access for complainants who previously found it difficult to approach the Faridabad office. The Palwal unit, located in Rehrana village near the Mini Secretariat, will be headed by a DSP-rank officer and supported by six personnel, including an Inspector.
Inaugurating the office on Tuesday, ACB SP Jaiveer Rathi said, “This facility will enable citizens to report corrupt officials more conveniently. It will not only save time and money for complainants but also help the department take swift action.” He emphasised that the primary objective of the ACB is to curb bribery in public offices.
Since January 1, 2024, the ACB has uncovered 26 corruption cases in the region, with six FIRs registered in the past 45 days. These include three cases in Palwal, two in Faridabad and one in Gurugram.
Among the major cases recently exposed, Rathi said it included the ongoing probe into a Rs 54-crore fraud in the BDPO office at Hassanpur, Palwal, the arrest of a patwari from the DTP office accepting Rs 2 lakh in bribes, the arrest of a UP Police Sub-Inspector for taking a Rs 2 lakh bribe last month.
The ACB has released helpline numbers 1064 and 1800-180-2022 for citizens to report corruption.
Last year, five police personnel were dismissed from service in Palwal after being found guilty of corruption and misconduct. The officials included two sub-inspectors, two assistant sub- inspectors and one constable.
An official from the Police Department confirmed that these dismissals followed departmental inquiries, which found them guilty of taking bribes and other irregularities while on duty.
