Thane: The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) arrested an assistant police inspector (API) for allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs 20,000 from a man for helping him and his family members in a case in Maharashtra’s Thane district, an official said on Saturday.

Based on a complaint, API Sanjay Dhondiram Bidgar (48) of Ulhasnagar police station was caught red-handed while accepting the bribe amount on Friday, the official said.

He said that a case had been registered at the Ulhasnagar police station against the complainant, his son, and wife, and the accused officer allegedly demanded Rs 20,000 in exchange for not arresting the trio and for helping them in the case.

Unwilling to pay the bribe, the complainant approached the ACB in Thane, and after a preliminary verification, a trap was laid.

A case has been registered against Bidgar under the Prevention of Corruption Act, and a further probe is underway, the official said.

New Delhi, Jan 3: Delhi Police on Saturday arrested two accused allegedly involved in ATM fraud in the South-West District. The arrests were made by the staff of Kishangarh Police Station as part of intensified patrolling and surveillance to curb crime and ensure the safety and security of residents.

According to a statement released by the South-West District police, the arrested accused have been identified as Salman, son of Kabir, and Salman, son of Usman. With their arrest, the police recovered one country-made pistol (desi katta), two live cartridges, Rs 12,700 in cash, four ATM jamming devices, and one screwdriver allegedly used for breaking or opening ATM shutters.

The police said that the staff of Kishangarh Police Station had been directed to maintain a strict vigil over suspicious persons and criminals involved in illegal activities. As part of these directions, patrolling was intensified in sensitive areas falling under the jurisdiction of the police station.

On January 1, during routine patrolling, Head Constable Subhash and Head Constable Hitender noticed a suspicious person roaming in the area of Kishangarh Police Station. On spotting the police team, the individual allegedly attempted to flee but was apprehended after a brief chase. During the personal search of the accused, identified as Salman, son of Kabir, a country-made pistol was recovered from his possession.

The information was immediately conveyed to the Duty Officer of Kishangarh Police Station, following which Sub-Inspector Kamal Chaudhary, along with other police staff, reached the spot and completed the necessary legal formalities. A case vide FIR No. 02/2026 under Section 25 of the Arms Act was subsequently registered at Kishangarh Police Station, and the accused was formally arrested.

During interrogation, the accused disclosed his involvement in ATM fraud activities and revealed the name of his associate, Salman, son of Usman, who had allegedly supplied him with the illegal firearm. Acting on this information, the police apprehended the co-accused, from whose possession two live cartridges were recovered.

Further interrogation revealed that the accused used to commit ATM fraud by inserting small metallic jamming clips inside the cash-dispensing shutter of ATM machines. When unsuspecting customers attempted to withdraw money, the amount would be debited from their accounts, but the cash would not be dispensed due to the jamming device.

Believing the issue to be a technical fault and expecting a refund from the bank, the customers would leave the ATM. The accused would then remove the jamming clip and take away the cash trapped inside the machine. To protect themselves while committing these crimes, the accused allegedly carried illegal firearms. Further investigation in the case is currently underway.

Ballari, Jan 3: The Karnataka Police have registered FIRs against BJP MLA and mining baron Janardhana Reddy and Congress MLA Nara Bharat Reddy on Saturday in connection with the violence that erupted over a banner-related issue, which resulted in the death of a grand old party worker in Ballari.

Police have intensified the investigation to ascertain who fired the bullet that killed Congress worker Rajashekar.

An FIR has been registered against several people, including MLA Bharat Reddy, in connection with the death of Rajashekar.

The FIR was lodged at the Bruce Pet Police Station in Ballari, and the investigation is currently underway.

The FIR names several individuals, including Ballari city MLA Nara Bharat Reddy’s close associate Satish Reddy, Chanal Shekhar, Nara Pratap Reddy and Nara Suryanarayana Reddy. The FIR was registered based on complaints filed by MLA Janardhana Reddy and BJP worker Nagaraj.

MLA Janardhana Reddy filed a complaint alleging assault and attempt to murder against several persons, including MLA Bharat Reddy.

In a separate complaint, BJP worker Nagaraj alleged trespass, caste-based abuse, attempt to murder and rioting. BJP state president B.Y. Vijayendra was also present when the complaints were filed.

Investigations have indicated that the bullet that struck Rajashekar was a 12 mm single-bore bullet fired from a single-barreled gun.

Police sources revealed that four gunmen connected to Satish Reddy, a close associate of MLA Bharat Reddy, are currently absconding.

Police stated that shots were fired during the violence, and one gunman was seen firing at the residence of Janardhana Reddy.

Supporters of Bharat Reddy told the police that shots were fired after Janardhana Reddy’s supporters allegedly indulged in intense stone-pelting towards Satish Reddy.

Meanwhile, another bullet shell was seized from Janardhana Reddy’s residence.

Inspector General of Police Varthika Katiyar visited Ballari on Saturday and inspected the security arrangements. The city has since returned to normalcy.

Responding to questions regarding who fired at the Congress worker, she said the investigation is ongoing to ascertain the facts.

Meanwhile, Housing and Waqf Minister Zameer Ahmad Khan, who is also the District In-charge Minister for Ballari, is visiting the city. He is scheduled to meet the family members of Rajashekar.

Sources said Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and the party high command have taken serious note of the developments and instructed Congress MLA Bharat Reddy to exercise restraint.

Bharat Reddy’s aggressive statements against Janardhana Reddy had embarrassed the Congress.

The government’s decision to suspend Ballari Superintendent of Police Pavan Nejjur has triggered a debate, as the officer was suspended within hours of assuming charge.

Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs H.K. Patil said the officer was suspended for failing to visit the spot during the violence. “It was important that he visited the spot, even if he had taken charge just 30 minutes earlier,” he said.