Pune: In a rare incident, the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) apprehended a real estate agent attempting to bribe a police officer investigating a criminal case. The accused, identified as Hasanali Gulab Bartakke (45), was caught in a trap set by the ACB while offering ₹2,000 in bribe money.

The incident unfolded after Assistant Police Inspector (API) Nandkumar Kadam of Bundgarden Police Station reported to the ACB that Bartakke had repeatedly tried to bribe him. Bartakke is a suspect in a case registered under Sections 314, 316(2), and 318(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for criminal breach of trust and harassment for dowry.

API Kadam, who was handling the investigation, refused to accept the bribe and instead filed a complaint with the ACB. Following the complaint, the ACB planned and executed a sting operation. At the Tadiwala Road Police Chowky, Bartakke handed over ₹2,000 to API Kadam, at which point he was apprehended red-handed by the ACB officials.

Superintendent of Police Shirish Sardeshpande and Additional Superintendent of Police Dr. Sheetal Janve oversaw the operation. Bartakke was charged with attempting to bribe a public servant, marking a rare instance in recent years where a citizen has been arrested for such an act.

A case has now been registered against Bartakke at Bundgarden Police Station, and further investigation is underway.