Jalandhar, November 21
A Deputy Superintendent of Police was gheraoed for three hours by residents of Rattan Nagar here for allegedly patronising a pimp, his flesh trade and an attempt to take a prostitute from the house of the pimp in his car. This is said to be his “routine”.

DSP Gurmukh Singh Cheema denied patronising immoral activity and alleged that vested interests had framed him. But a police report belies his claim and his visit to the locality late in the night sans official vehicle, gunmen, and in civvies raised suspicions.

Mr Cheema, at present posted at Nawanshahr, against whom an action was initiated by the Sadar Police under Section 41 (2) of the IPC was caught “red-handed” by residents last night while trying to “take away” Preeti from the house of Manohar Lal. The residents, who gheraoed the DSP for more than three hours along with the girl, alleged that Manohar Lal used to threaten them at the instance of the DSP if they tried to expose his activities. Mr Yashpal, who reported the matter to higher police authorities on the activities of the DSP, said that the residents had tried to dissuade Manohar Lal from indulging in such activities, but he threatened him. He said that the DSP came to the locality in a Zen car (No PB-57-1200) when the residents gheraoed him. The police took the DSP and the woman to the police station assuring an action in the matter. Residents also accompanied the police party to the police station.

The DSP denied indulging in wrongful activity but confessed to going to Manohar Lal, who, according to him was his “police informer” while he was posted in Jalandhar. The DSP added on reaching the house of Manohar Lal, he wanted his help for Preeti facing some problem in respect of her house. He said Manohar Lal requested him to take Preeti in his car to the police station.

The police authorities allowed the detained DSP to go to Nawanshahr maintaining that permission of the government was needed to proceed against the DSP as he was a gazetted officer. But a few police officials, maintained that since the offence was cognizable one there was no need of permission. It was learnt that the SSP’s office has submitted a report on the incident to the DIG.

UNI adds: Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Paramjit Singh Gill today recommended strict disciplinary action against Nawanshahr Deputy Superintendent of Police Gurmukh Singh Cheema, who was booked under Section 109 of the CrPC (immoral trafficking act) last night.

The DSP was arrested late last night following complaints by residents of Rattan Nagar.