Taint on khaki: Dismissed Ludhiana cop, aide arrested for snatching phone from migrant labourer

The constable was suspended on May 30 for long absence, while the snatching was committed on May 8

A constable, recently suspended for long absence, and his aide have been arrested for snatching a mobile phone from a migrant labourer.

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Assistant commissioner of police (South) Sandeep Wadhera said the accused cop, Harpreet Singh, a resident of Lohara, and his aide, Kuldeep, of Shimlapuri, had snatched a mobile phone in Janata Nagar on May 8 when Harpreet was still serving in the police department.

The victim, Pawan Kumar, of Janata Nagar, had complained to the police that two men in police uniform had intercepted him outside Sunny Telecom and snatched his mobile phone.

Police swung into action after learning that the snatchers were wearing police uniforms.

During investigation, police zeroed in on Harpreet, who cracked during questioning and confessed to targeting migrants to buy his daily dose of drugs.

The ACP said Harpreet, who was posted at the Civil Lines police station, was dismissed from service on May 30 for remaining absent from duty without information.

Police have recovered the motorcycle and police uniforms used in the crime, and are interrogating the accused regarding their involvement in other cases of snatching.

The duo was booked under Section 379-B (snatching) and 34 (acts done in furtherance of common intention) of the Indian Penal Code.