lokayukta employees filmed during alleged bribe deal:Sought ₹5 lakh to weaken case; says voice sample would be changed

A network that weakens cases by taking bribes is active within the Lokayukta organisation, which takes action against corruption in MP. In Bhaskar’s sting operation, two constables, one technician, and one reader were caught on camera dealing with bribes. The technician demanded 3 lakh rupees for one DSP and 5 lakh rupees for another. The reporter contacted these people by posing as relatives of employees caught in old trap cases. In the first part of Bhaskar’s Investigation, read how the bribe network operates in the Lokayukta organisation. What tactics do these employees use to weaken a case? The investigation was done like this ‘Cases will drag on until retirement’ The Bhaskar team first contacted Amit Vishwakarma, a technician at the Bhopal Lokayukta. In the first conversation, he said he was in Jabalpur and gave time to meet the next day after returning to Bhopal. Later, he scheduled a meeting in front of a private hospital in Karond. During the meeting, Amit said that the case was now with another DSP. According to him, the investigation could be prolonged until the accused’s retirement, so that pension and other benefits are not affected. Amit claimed that the report could be influenced by changing the voice during the voice sample. Amit said, ‘We can drag the case on until retirement’ The Bhaskar team first contacted Amit Vishwakarma, a technician with the Bhopal Lokayukta. During the first conversation, he said he was in Jabalpur and fixed a meeting for the next day after returning to Bhopal. Later, he arranged to meet outside a private hospital in Karond. During the meeting, Amit said the case was now with another DSP. According to him, the investigation could be deliberately prolonged until the accused retired, ensuring that pension and other retirement benefits were not affected. Amit claimed that the voice sample report could be influenced by getting the accused to alter his voice during the recording process. He said: ‘Witnesses also have to be managed’ During a second meeting, Amit claimed that the voice sample and investigation could be “managed” for ₹5 lakh. He said the inquiry could be stretched for three to three-and-a-half years. He advised the reporter not to contact anyone else. Later, he spoke to a DSP through a WhatsApp call and arranged a meeting for the 19th. When asked about payment, Amit said half the amount would have to be paid in advance and the remaining amount after the voice sample process. He described himself as a “mediator” between officials and the accused. Amit further claimed that witnesses present during the voice sample process also needed to be “managed”. He said the accused could be trained in advance on what to say. ‘Start practising in the Bundelkhandi dialect’ Yashwant Singh, who had been transferred from the Bhopal Lokayukta to Sagar, was reported to remain active within the network. When contacted, he assured the reporter that he could help after speaking to people in Bhopal. After several rounds of discussions, the reporter met him in Sagar. Yashwant claimed that if the case was transferred to Sagar, the voice sample could be “managed”. He said this would cost between ₹5 lakh and ₹6 lakh. He also suggested a strategy to show that the accused was not present on the day of the incident. According to Yashwant, the voice sample process and claims of absence could delay the investigation for several months. He further claimed that the inquiry could be prolonged even more through internal contacts. Yashwant also claimed he had contacts in the RFSL and FSL who could influence reports. He said that changing language and speaking style could affect voice sample results. He also claimed that transcripts and documents could be “managed”. ‘I can help in a Bhopal case’ According to sources, constable Ramdas Kurmi, posted at the Bhopal Lokayukta, had been under discussion due to allegations of arranging “settlements” in trap cases. When contacted, he called the reporter to the Lokayukta office. The reporter told him about a trap case related to the Tribal Welfare Department. After gathering details, Ramdas said the action had been taken by the Jabalpur team, so the matter would have to be pursued there. He added that if it had been a Bhopal case, help could have been provided. A few days later, the reporter contacted him again regarding another case. This time, Kurmi avoided discussing the matter over the phone and asked the reporter to visit the office, assuring him of assistance. When the reporter arrived, Kurmi invited him inside. However, after noticing Amit Vishwakarma, with whom contact had already been established, standing outside the chamber, the reporter chose not to enter. Later, Kurmi called to ask why the meeting had not taken place. The reporter cited an urgent commitment as the reason. ‘Legal procedures take time after a trap’ Constable Brij Bihari Pandey, who served for a long time in the Bhopal Lokayukta and is currently posted at Police Headquarters (PHQ), said he was in Kolkata when contacted and suggested meeting after returning to Bhopal. During the conversation, he accused several people of taking money without delivering results, but also assured the reporter that he could help. When asked for assistance in a case, Pandey said legal procedures had to be completed after a trap operation. He suggested discussing the matter further after his return to Bhopal. When contacted again, Pandey said he was still out of town but mentioned Gaurav Sahu, saying he would be able to help. ‘I can manage the matter for ₹3 lakh’ A few days after the conversation with Pandey, the reporter received a call from Gaurav Sahu. Introducing himself as an official posted with the Bhopal Lokayukta, he asked the reporter to contact him directly and come to Bhopal for a meeting. Gaurav claimed that the investigation was with his DSP and that he was handling the entire matter. He advised the reporter not to involve any third person. He claimed the case could be “managed” for ₹3 lakh. According to him, ₹2 lakh would have to be paid in advance, while the remaining amount would be paid after the work was completed.