Former SI gets 4-year rigorous imprisonment in bribery case

In 2014, a case had been registered against Saini under Section 7 of the Essential Commodities Act on the basis of a complaint by food inspector Basheshar Singh, alleging that the former used to distribute foodgrains among the beneficiaries at inflated rates.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) court has awarded four-year rigorous imprisonment to a former sub-inspector of the Sector-31 police station in a 2015 bribe case. He has also been told to pay a fine of ₹20,000.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) court has awarded four-year rigorous imprisonment to a former sub-inspector of the Sector-31 police station in a 2015 bribe case. He has also been told to pay a fine of ₹20,000. (HT File)

The case dates back to 2015 when the CBI had caught him red-handed while accepting a bribe of ₹5,000. A trap had been laid on the complaint of Balkar Singh Saini of Faidan village, who ran a government fair price shop. In 2014, a case had been registered against Saini under Section 7 of the Essential Commodities Act on the basis of a complaint by food inspector Basheshar Singh, alleging that the former used to distribute foodgrains among the beneficiaries at inflated rates.

Sub-inspector Arvind Kumar of Sector 31 police station was the investigating officer in this case. It was alleged that he called Saini multiple times, asking for illegal gratification to the tune of ₹20,000 in lieu of not taking action against him. He had also threatened the complainant that if he doesn’t give the bribe, he will ensure that he gets a strict punishment.

Saini was able to bring down the amount to ₹10,000 and agreed to pay it in two installments of ₹5,000 each and then complained to the CBI. He was caught by the CBI sleuths while accepting the bribe at the police station.