In a swift operation on the night of Thursday, March 12, 2026, the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) unit from Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar arrested two personnel from the Mantha Police Station in Jalna district. The officers were caught allegedly accepting a bribe to permit the “unhindered” illegal transportation of sand. The news was formally confirmed by ACB officials on Friday, March 13, marking another significant crackdown on the systemic “protection money” rackets operating within the state’s mineral transport corridors.
The Accused & The Demand
The trap targeted a high-ranking station officer and his subordinate who were allegedly running a monthly extortion scheme.
- The Primary Accused: Police Inspector Manoj Kumar Rathod (50) and Constable Ravi Ganpat Jadhav (38).
- The Initial Demand: The duo originally demanded a monthly “hafta” (protection fee) of ₹50,000 from a local sand transporter to avoid seizing his tipper trucks.
- Prior Collection: Investigation revealed that the constable had already pocketed ₹10,000 as a preliminary payment before the trap was set.
The “Informer Discount” Offer
In a bizarre twist, Inspector Rathod reportedly offered the complainant a “concession” on his monthly bribe. The condition? The transporter had to act as an informant and help the police seize two other vehicles involved in illegal sand transport. This move was allegedly designed to help the officers meet their official “seizure quotas” while still collecting private illegal fees.
The ACB Sting Operation
| Phase | Action Taken |
| The Complaint | The truck owner, unwilling to pay the recurring fee, approached the ACB Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar unit. |
| Verification | ACB officials verified the demand through a recorded “negotiation” where the bribe was settled at ₹30,000. |
| The Trap | A trap was laid within the confidential branch office of the Mantha Police Station on Thursday night. |
| Catching the Culprit | Constable Jadhav was caught red-handed while accepting the marked currency notes in the presence of independent witnesses. |
Key Takeaways
- Systemic Extortion: The case highlights the “monthly fee” model used by rogue officers to regulate illegal sand mining rather than stopping it.
- Internal Corruption: The inspector’s attempt to use the complainant as a pawn against other transporters reveals a complex layer of departmental manipulation.
- Legal Action: Both Rathod and Jadhav have been booked under the Prevention of Corruption Act. Their mobile phones and the bribe money have been seized as primary evidence.
Sources
- United News of India (UNI): ACB Traps Jalna Police Inspector, Constable, March 13, 2026.
- Lokmat News: Jalna ACB Trap: Police Inspector and Staff Arrested, March 13, 2026.
- Anti-Corruption Bureau Maharashtra: Official Press Release (Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar Unit), March 13, 2026.
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