Man promises relief in ‘ED case’, takes Rs 13 lakh bribe, arrested

The Rajasthan Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) on Saturday arrested Uttam Pandey for allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs 13 lakh on the pretext of securing relief in a case linked to the Enforcement Directorate (ED), following a carefully planned trap operation in Sikar district.

According to ACB officials, the accused, a resident of Sarai Pandeypur village in Uttar Pradesh’s Ayodhya district, was apprehended red-handed while receiving the bribe near Hotel Ashoka at Kalyan Circle . The operation was carried out by the ACB’s Special Unit-II under the supervision of Deputy Inspector General of Police Anil Kayal . During the raid, officials recovered the full bribe amount, including Rs 2 lakh in cash and Rs 11 lakh through digital payment modes .

ACB Director General Govind Gupta said the case originated from a written complaint submitted on December 30, 2025 , by a man who alleged that he had been cheated in 2022 in connection with an investment in a private company, QFX Pvt Ltd . The complainant claimed that Pandey contacted him, falsely presenting himself as being associated with the office of the Assistant Director of the ED in Chandigarh, and demanded money to remove his name from the case and arrange relief.

Investigators revealed that Pandey initially demanded Rs 20 lakh , later reduced it to Rs 15 lakh , and finally settled for Rs 13 lakh after negotiations. The ACB verified the bribery demand through recorded mobile and WhatsApp conversations before setting the trap. Officials also stated that Pandey allegedly threatened to implicate the complainant in the ED case if the money was not paid. Technical evidence, including multiple recorded calls, has been seized.

A case has been registered against Pandey under relevant provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act . He remains in custody, and further investigation is underway to ascertain whether any other individuals or officials were involved in the alleged conspiracy.