What stops babus from being Tukaram Mundhe or Ashok Khemka?

A former Income Tax inspector turned trainee Indian Police Service (IPS) officer is facing serious allegations of demanding and accepting a bribe of ₹1 crore to cover up a cyber fraud case. Rahul Bansal, a 2022-batch IPS officer of the Chhattisgarh cadre, has been named alongside two police personnel, Assistant Sub-Inspector Praveen Kumar Rathore and Constable Anshul Sharma, in a complaint filed before a special Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) court in Delhi. The allegations emerged during Bansal’s first field posting as City Superintendent of Police in Chhattisgarh’s Surguja district. The case reportedly involves two payments of ₹50 lakh each, made through hawala channels in May 2026. According to the complaint, these funds were used to settle a cyber fraud case. Digital evidence, including WhatsApp conversations and call recordings, has been submitted to the court in support of the allegations. The special CBI court has requested an Action Taken Report (ATR) from both the Chhattisgarh Director General of Police and the CBI director to determine what steps have been taken so far in the investigation. Bansal’s current predicament stands in stark contrast to remarks he once made during a mock interview prior to entering the civil services. In a video that has recently resurfaced online, Bansal described feeling “very bad” after allegedly paying a bribe of ₹500 to obtain his brother’s birth certificate from a local panchayat official. At the time, he was an aspiring civil servant preparing for the UPSC exams. His comments highlighted concerns over corruption and inefficiencies within public administration, and he emphasized the need for police and bureaucratic reforms. The video, originally shared years ago, has now gained renewed attention amid the ongoing allegations against Bansal. It has sparked discussions about the irony of someone who once criticized corruption now being accused of participating in it. Bansal’s earlier stance on integrity and accountability appears to clash sharply with the current accusations. The allegations against Bansal come at a critical juncture in his career. Before joining the IPS, he served as an Income Tax inspector, and his first field assignment as an IPS officer was in Surguja district, Chhattisgarh. During this period, the alleged misconduct involving the cyber fraud case came to light. The nature of the case suggests a potential conflict of interest, given that Bansal was responsible for law enforcement in the region where the incident supposedly occurred. The complainant has presented substantial evidence to the court, including digital records that allegedly link the accused to the transactions. These materials include WhatsApp messages and audio recordings purportedly showing communication related to the bribe. The ATR requested by the court will provide clarity on whether any formal investigation has been initiated against Bansal and his colleagues. While the case is still unfolding, it has already drawn attention from multiple quarters. The resurfacing of Bansal’s past statements has added a layer of complexity to the situation, raising questions about the credibility of the allegations and the broader implications for public trust in the police force. The outcome of the ATR and subsequent investigations could influence how the case is perceived, either reinforcing or challenging the narrative surrounding Bansal’s conduct. The CBI’s involvement underscores the seriousness of the allegations. As the probe continues, further details about the cyber fraud case itself, the role of the accused officers, and the authenticity of the digital evidence are likely to emerge. The findings from the ATR will play a crucial role in determining the next steps in the legal process.