Bihar Excise Constable Caught Extorting Odisha Officials

India (12 February, 2025): In a shocking case of corruption, Bihar excise constable Kunal Kumar and his accomplice, Satish Yadav, were caught extorting ₹1 lakh from two Odisha government officials. The officials, who had consumed liquor in Uttar Pradesh before entering Bihar, were stopped at an integrated check post and forced to pay a bribe.

Liquor Ban in Bihar and Its Strict Rules

Since 2016, Bihar has imposed a complete ban on alcohol. According to state law, even being under the influence of liquor is a punishable offense. This strict prohibition has led to multiple incidents where officials misuse their power to extort money from people caught in such situations.

A Journey Turns Into a Nightmare

Kalpataru Sethi, an official from Odisha’s Keonjhar district treasury, along with his subordinate Laxmidhar Barad and their driver, was returning from Prayagraj after attending the Maha Kumbh. Due to heavy traffic, they stopped near Varanasi and consumed a small amount of liquor before continuing their journey. Unaware of the trouble ahead, they entered Bihar, where their ordeal began.

Constable’s Demand for Money

As soon as their car entered Bihar, it was stopped by Kunal Kumar. Despite their explanation that they had only consumed a small amount of alcohol outside Bihar, the constable refused to listen. He ordered them to park their vehicle 4 km away at a hotel and then demanded ₹1 lakh. The officials, who had ₹80,000 in cash, handed it over, but the constable was not satisfied.

Forced Digital Transaction

The constable further forced them to give ₹10,000 more from their driver and even snatched their wallets and mobile phones. To extract the remaining ₹10,000, he made them transfer the amount through a third-party transaction. It was only after this that he allowed them to leave.

Secret Video Evidence and a Smart Move

Despite being in a helpless situation, Sethi managed to record video clips of the constable and took a screenshot of the money transfer. Once he reached Odisha, he contacted a senior excise officer and reported the entire incident, providing all the evidence.

Swift Police Action Leads to Arrest

After receiving the complaint, the excise superintendent of Kaimur district launched an investigation. The team identified Kunal Kumar as the main accused. During the probe, ₹10,500 was recovered from a hidden spot under a truck. The constable and his accomplice were arrested under the Prevention of Corruption Act and extortion charges.

Police Assure Strict Action

Kaimur Superintendent of Police, Hari Mohan Shukla, confirmed that the accused would face strict legal action. He assured that such corrupt practices would not be tolerated and that more investigations were underway to check if the constable was involved in similar incidents.

A Lesson on Corruption and Law Enforcement

This incident raises serious questions about the misuse of power by some officers. While Bihar’s liquor ban aims to maintain law and order, corruption within enforcement agencies can create fear and mistrust among the people. Authorities must ensure that honest governance prevails, and strict action is taken against those who misuse their position for personal gains.