A 2022-batch trainee IPS officer, Rahul Bansal, faces allegations of accepting a ₹1 crore bribe to settle a cyber fraud case. A special CBI court in Delhi has directed the Chhattisgarh DGP and the CBI Director to submit an Action Taken Report regarding the matter, which reportedly involved payments via hawala channels.
A significant bribery investigation has emerged in Chhattisgarh involving Rahul Bansal, a 2022-batch trainee officer in the Indian Police Service (IPS). The officer, who was posted in the Surguja district, is facing serious allegations regarding the misuse of his official position to settle a cyber fraud investigation.
The complaint alleges that the officer demanded and received a bribe totaling ₹1 crore. According to the claims submitted to the court, the transaction was executed in two separate installments of ₹50 lakh each through hawala channels during May 2026. Along with Bansal, two other police personnel—Assistant Sub-Inspector Praveen Kumar Rathore and constable Anshul Sharma—have also been named in the complaint regarding their alleged involvement in the matter.
The issue has now reached the judicial system, with a special Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) court in Delhi taking cognizance of the claims. To determine the veracity of these allegations and assess the progress of any internal or external probe, the court has issued formal notices. Both the Director General of Police (DGP) of Chhattisgarh and the Director of the CBI have been requested to file an Action Taken Report (ATR).
To substantiate the claims, the complainant has reportedly provided digital evidence, including call recordings and WhatsApp conversations, which are purported to document the communication and financial transactions between the accused and the complainant. Before joining the IPS, Bansal had reportedly served as an Income Tax inspector, providing a background that is often noted in administrative profiles.
From a governance and institutional perspective, the case highlights the critical need for oversight and transparency within law enforcement agencies. The involvement of a trainee officer at such an early stage of his career, coupled with accusations of hawala transactions, raises questions about internal vigilance mechanisms. The upcoming Action Taken Report will be the primary source of clarity for the public and the judiciary, as it is expected to detail whether the authorities have found evidence to support the claims or if the investigations suggest otherwise. For stakeholders monitoring governance standards in the region, the official findings from the CBI and the state police will be the key developments to track.