Cops under probe for letting off criminals

The nexus between the police and criminals has never been so blatant. Thirty investigation officers (IOs) are being investigated for letting off hardcore criminals. Thanks to them, 39 criminals wanted for murder, 46 wanted for dacoity and one wanted in a rape case are roaming free.

On Monday, director general of police AC Sharma shot off a letter to the superintendents of police of 19 districts, directing them to probe the nexus between the IOs and criminals. The SPs have been told to complete the investigation within a month.

"We are trying to find out if the criminals were let off due to human error or it was done deliberately," Sharma said. "Once I receive the reports, suitable action would be taken."

"We have zeroed in on 30 investigation officers of the rank of inspectors and sub-inspectors," said a police officer on condition of anonymity. "More are likely to be identified".

The modus operandi? To nail a criminal in court, investigation officers should file a chargesheet within 90 days of arrest. But they filed chargesheets after 90 days without specifying any reason. So when the criminals moved bail petition, they got bail without any hitch, the officer added.

Take the case of Rajpal whose name spells terror in Agra, Mathura and Aligarh districts. Wanted in around half a dozen cases of murder and dacoity, he was arrested in July 2012, but was released in November as the investigation officer did not file the chargesheet within 90 days.

His gang is spreading terror in the area again.