ACB Crackdown: 13 Including RTO Inspector Arrested in Jaipur Over ‘Wrong Number’ Bribery Scheme

Jaipur: The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has busted a major corruption racket operating at the Regional Transport Office (RTO) in Jaipur. The investigation revealed that RTO officials were collecting illegal bribes from vehicle owners through middlemen. In a coordinated action, the ACB arrested 13 people, including an RTO inspector, exposing the scale of the scam.

The Bribery Scheme Uncovered

Multiple teams within the Transport Department were reportedly extorting money from vehicles traveling on highways. Following a complaint received by the ACB, a covert investigation was launched to verify the allegations. The probe uncovered that, near Ajmer and Byawar, private agents were collecting illegal payments from vehicle owners at hotels and roadside dhabas with the tacit support of RTO officials.

Each driver was charged between ₹600 and ₹1,000. Vehicles involved in the bribery were marked with a special code, ensuring that no fines were issued for violations. Acting on this information, the ACB conducted surprise raids on offices and residences linked to the Transport Department to expose the racket.

Inspector and 12 Others Arrested

ACB Director General Govind Gupta confirmed that after verifying the illegal collections, 12 ACB teams were deployed to raid various locations associated with the officials, employees, and middlemen. Following the operation, 13 people were arrested, including RTO Inspector Jal Singh. Others detained include his assistant Pradeep Jodha and agents Vikram Singh, Sanjay Yadav, Budhe Singh, Mahendra Kumar, Sunil Kumar, and Laxman Kathat.

Scope of the Operation

The raids were conducted across Byawar, Nasirabad, Vijaynagar, Kekri, Kishangarh, and Ajmer. Authorities seized 19 mobile phones, 12 diaries, and screenshots of payment transactions. CCTV footage and DVRs from hotels and dhabas used by the agents for illegal collections were also confiscated. Additionally, ₹1.16 lakh collected from vehicle owners during the scam was recovered from the accused.

This operation highlights the growing vigilance of the ACB against systemic corruption within government departments and underscores the commitment to holding public officials accountable for abuse of power.