A 2022-batch trainee Indian Police Service (IPS) officer of the Chhattisgarh cadre, Rahul Bansal, along with two local police personnel, has been named in a complaint alleging demand and acceptance of a ₹1 crore bribe to influence the investigation of a cyber fraud case. The matter is currently before a special CBI court in Delhi, which has sought Action Taken Reports from the Chhattisgarh Director General of Police and the CBI Director. The allegations remain unproven and are under judicial scrutiny.
Background of the officer
Rahul Bansal, born on 26 June 1994 and originally from Rajasthan (with roots reported in the Karauli region), is a 2022-batch IPS officer allocated to the Chhattisgarh cadre. He holds a B.Tech in Electrical Engineering from IIT (BHU), Varanasi, and an LLB from Rajasthan University.
Before joining the IPS, he worked as an Income Tax Inspector after selection through the Staff Selection Commission and had also qualified as an Assistant Audit Officer. He cleared the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2021 with an All India Rank of 377 (Mathematics optional) on his fifth attempt while continuing government service. He simultaneously qualified the Indian Forest Service examination with rank 251. He formally joined the IPS on 29 August 2022.
After completing training, his first field posting was as City Superintendent of Police (CSP) in Ambikapur, Surguja district, Chhattisgarh (reported effective from around August 2025). It was during this posting that the allegations surfaced.
The complaint and allegations
According to the complaint filed by Akash Kumar, a resident of Haryana, Bansal, along with Assistant Sub-Inspector Praveen Kumar Rathore and Constable Anshul Sharma (both posted at the cyber cell/range in the Ambikapur area), allegedly demanded and received ₹1 crore to settle or favour the accused in a cyber fraud case registered at the Cyber Range Police Station in Ambikapur.
The complaint states that the amount was not paid in a single transaction but was transferred through hawala channels in two instalments of ₹50 lakh each during May 2026. The ASI and constable are alleged to have acted as intermediaries.
The underlying cyber fraud case involved an alleged investment scam in which a victim was persuaded to download applications named ‘Money Trade 365’ and ‘Sky Trade’ and deposited approximately ₹20.15 lakh in 84 instalments into 17-18 different bank accounts provided by the fraudsters, on the promise of higher returns through stock-market trading. The bribe demand allegedly arose during the investigation of this case, with the purported aim of protecting those involved or influencing the probe.
Digital evidence and court proceedings
The complainant has submitted what is claimed to be digital evidence, including WhatsApp chats and call recordings of conversations related to the alleged transactions, along with supporting documents and an affidavit.
Akash Kumar first submitted a written complaint to the CBI Director on 8 June 2026 seeking investigation and registration of an FIR. When no FIR was registered, he approached the Special CBI Court at Rouse Avenue in Delhi under Section 175(3) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023. The complaint seeks registration of an FIR under Sections 7 and 7A of the Prevention of Corruption Act and relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023.
The matter is being heard by Special Judge Sudhanshu Kaushik. The court has issued notices and sought Action Taken Reports (ATR) from the Chhattisgarh DGP and the CBI Director. A notice was issued to the Chhattisgarh DGP seeking a factual report, with earlier timelines set and the matter listed for further hearing around mid-August 2026. Responses have been filed through counsel in some instances.
Local police authorities in Surguja have indicated that the matter relates to the Range office level, with limited public comment available from senior officers. Attempts by media outlets to obtain responses from Bansal or the relevant Inspector General have not yielded detailed replies so far.
Resurfaced old video
An older mock interview video of Bansal from his civil services preparation days has circulated widely in the wake of the allegations. In the clip, the then-aspirant recounted feeling “very bad” after allegedly paying a ₹500 bribe to a panchayat official to expedite his brother’s birth certificate (needed in connection with travel for an academic presentation). He also spoke about the presence of some corrupt elements in the system while cautioning against generalising. The contrast with the current ₹1 crore allegation has drawn significant attention online.
Current status
The allegations against Rahul Bansal, ASI Praveen Kumar Rathore and Constable Anshul Sharma are based on the complaint and supporting material placed before the court. No finding of guilt has been established. The special CBI court is examining the matter, including the Action Taken Reports sought from the state police and the central agency. The case highlights scrutiny of a probationary/trainee IPS officer during his first independent field posting and the use of digital evidence and private complaint mechanisms under the new criminal procedure laws to pursue corruption allegations linked to cybercrime investigations.
Further developments will depend on the reports submitted to the court and any subsequent investigation ordered.
