After 4-year lull, IPS trio shakes up West Bengal Anti-Corruption Branch into action

After nearly four years without a trap operation, the Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) of West Bengal has seen a major turnaround under its new leadership. In just over two months, the agency has conducted 16 trap operations leading to the arrest of 25 persons in cases involving alleged demands for illegal gratification.

The change has been striking and comes after a new leadership team took charge of the Anti Corruption Branch (ACB), West Bengal with Murli Dhar Sharma, IPS (2005 batch) as IG; Akash Megharia, IPS (2009 batch) as DIG; and Kamnashish Sen, IPS (2014 batch) as Superintendent of Police.

The renewed drive has extended beyond individual bribery cases. The ACB has also unearthed an alleged extortion syndicate targeting truck owners, with investigations bringing the role of multiple police personnel under scrutiny. Several police officers were summoned in connection with the matter, signalling that the investigation is examining the alleged network and its possible links within the system.

The trap operations have covered a wide spectrum of public offices including the police, transport, municipal, health and revenue departments, reflecting a more proactive approach towards tackling corruption.