Patiala ASI, constable held for accepting Rs 10 lakh bribe
The police have arrested an assistant sub-inspector (ASI) and a constable for allegedly accepting a bribe of `10 lakh. The accused had allegedly taken the bribe to facilitate a money exchanger to cross the Punjab border at Shambu barrier with Rs 1 crore cash.
The accused have been identified as sub-inspector Ravinder Krishan and constable Harjeet Singh. The role of another constable, identified as Satnam Singh, who is also booked in the case, is under the scanner.
“A case under the Prevention of Corruption Act has been registered against the accused at the Rajpura police station,” said deputy superintendent of police (DSP) Rajinder Singh Sohal.
The incident comes close on the heels of inspector Gurcharan Singh, station house officer, Anaj Mandi, being arrested on Sunday for accepting `7.5 lakh bribe.
Though the police lodged a first information report (FIR) on the statement of DSP Rajinder Sohal, who claims that the arrests have been made following as tip-off, sources say the case was registered after the matter reached the director general of police (DGP) office.
The money exchanger is connected to a senior official in Chandigarh and the police lodged the FIR in a face-saving exercise, said sources.
Sources said the cops acted swiftly as they feared that the case might go to the vigilance bureau, which would have been more embarrassing for the police authorities.
The accused traced the money to an SUV near the Shambu border. They threatened the money exchanger that they would book him in a hawala case if he fails to give them `20 lakh. The deal was struck at `10 lakh. After giving the money to the accused, the money exchanger, a resident of Phagwara, reported the matter to the higher authorities.
A vigilance bureau official said it was disturbing that policemen, even of rank of an ASI and inspector, were demanding bribe. This cannot happen without the patronage of senior police officials.
SSP Gurmeet Singh Chauhan could not be contacted despite repeated attempts.
