Thane: Bribe Taken via QR Code—Two Policemen and One Civilian Arrested

In a shocking incident that highlights the evolving nature of corruption, two policemen and a civilian have been arrested in Thane for accepting a bribe via QR code. The arrests were made following an investigation by the Thane City Police Crime Branch.

According to officials, the Cyber Police Station of the Thane Police Commissionerate registered a case on May 5 in connection with the theft and illegal sale of mobile phone data. During the investigation, two police constables—Akash Surve and Harshad Parab—were arrested along with a civilian, Mohammad Sohail.

Further inquiries revealed that the QR code used to receive the bribe was linked to a police constable, confirming suspicions of official misconduct. Authorities also seized the mobile numbers of all three accused and traced the digital money trail to the QR code.

The Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) reportedly received intelligence that personal mobile number data was being illegally harvested and sold, which led to a deeper probe and the eventual arrests. In a surprising twist, one of the accused was found in possession of a PSI officer’s uniform, a police baton, a cap, a police vehicle sticker, and other paraphernalia. He was allegedly staying at a lodge in the city.

The incident underscores a troubling shift in how bribes are being conducted—with the use of digital payment platforms such as QR codes making it more discreet and harder to trace without detailed cyber forensics.

Despite laws that criminalize bribery, such practices remain rampant. This latest case serves as a reminder of the challenges law enforcement faces not only in curbing corruption but also in adapting to its increasingly tech-savvy methods.

An investigation is currently underway to determine the full extent of the network involved and whether more officials or individuals played a role in the racket.