Bettiah (Bihar): A police officer was arrested here today after a team of vigilance bureau officers caught him red-handed accepting Rs 50,000 bribe in Bihar's West Champaran district. Sub-inspector and officer-in-charge of Banuchhapar police outpost (OP) Yakub Ali Ansari were found accepting Rs 50,000 at his official quarter for releasing a car that he had seized during Chhath Puja, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) and the head of the vigilance team, Anil Kumar, said.   

"The owner of the car, Ranjan Kumar Jha, had lodged a complaint with the Vigilance Investigation Bureau against the sub-inspector, following which a trap was laid to nab him," Kumar said.   Ali had arrested Jha and seized his car after allegedly finding him in an inebriated condition at a river that during Chhath. 

He, however, did not give him a seizure list, the DSP said. Sale and consumption of liquor were banned in Bihar last year and anybody found drunk in a public place could invite up to 10 years' imprisonment and fine.   

After getting his bail, Jha, a resident of Sant Kabir Road area, went to Mufassil police station to get his car but the sub-inspector sought Rs 50,000 for releasing the vehicle. Ali would be produced before a Special Vigilance Court at Muzaffarpur after interrogation, the DSP added.