Back-to-back accusations, Chandigarh policemen taking law for a ride!
Amit Sharma
Chandigarh, July 11
Corruption accusations against police officers have cast a shadow over the integrity of khaki.
This year alone, 12 police personnel, a retired SP and a home guard in Chandigarh have faced action, including four FIRs filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The allegations range from bribery and abuse of power to collusion with criminal elements.
Interestingly, three instances have been reported in the past less than 10 days.
In the recent incident, the CBI had laid a trap at the Sector 26 police station after a graft complaint was received against an assistant sub-inspector (ASI). The ASI had escaped after the complainant allegedly delivered Rs 20,000 bribe to favour her brother in an attempt-to-murder case.
On July 3, the police booked Inspector Rakesh Kumar, ASI Surjit Singh and home guard Jaswinder Singh for allegedly duping three persons of Mohali of Rs 18 lakh on the pretext of providing them jobs in Punjab Police. All three cops were also suspended by the department.
A day before on July 2, four cops, including an inspector, were suspended by the department for their alleged connivance with cybercriminals in concealing and suppressing the evidence. The case pertained to an instant loan app fraud. The Police Department had claimed that cops had served a notice on one of the accused but didn’t proceed against him, providing benefit to the accused.
These incidents have not only eroded public trust in law enforcement but also highlighted systemic issues within the police force.
Although senior police officials claim of taking strict measures to root out corruption, critics argue that more substantial reforms are needed to address the underlying causes and prevent such incidents in the future.
RK Garg, president of Second Innings Association, a senior citizens’ body, said the situation called for greater transparency and accountability in the Police Department, including regular audits and stricter oversight mechanisms. “Restoring faith in the system will require significant effort and commitment from all levels of the force,” Garg added.
Earlier, on April 10, the CBI had arrested SI Balwinder Singh, who was posted at the Sector 17 police station, and ASI Harmeet Singh, who was posted at the PO and Summon Cell, for allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs 10,000 for not registering an FIR against Anil Kumar, who had been accused of stealing a cheque in 2019.
The CBI had in April booked three UT policemen — two inspectors and a sub-inspector — and a former SP in connection with two FIRs.
Graft, fraud among charges levelled
July 9 ASI booked for allegedly accepting Rs 20,000
July 3 Inspector, ASI and home guard booked for allegedly duping three persons on the pretext of providing them jobs in Punjab Police
July 2 Four cops, including an inspector, suspended for their alleged connivance with cybercriminals
April 16 Inspector and a retired SP booked by CBI for illegally obtaining the location of two mobile phone numbers of a woman and her husband
April 15 CBI case against an inspector and SI for favouring an accused in sexual harassment case
April 10 SI and an ASI nabbed by CBI for allegedly accepting Rs 10,000 bribe
