Caught on camera accepting bribe, 23 cops still on the job - Indian Express
As many as 23 policemen, who were found taking bribes following a sting operation, are still working with the Delhi Police. A year and a half later, police have not been able to decide on the action to be taken against the tainted officers.
The High Court on Wednesday questioned the lack of action against the 23 officers, and sought an explanation from the force.
Petitioner Chetan Sharma had shot police personnel accepting bribes on his camera. The tapes had led to the suspension of more than 130 policemen. Recently, Sharma returned to the court, seeking information on the status of his complaints.
Court expressed concern over the police's "lack of will" and summoned the investigating officer of the case, an Additional Commissioner of Police, on the next date of hearing — along with original records of the investigation.
A division bench of Acting Chief Justice A K Sikri and Justice Rajiv Sahai Endlaw said it was "forced" to monitor the investigation as the Delhi Police had failed to perform its duty.
The court was hearing a petition filed by Sharma, alleging that the police and other authorities failed to complete the probe and take action against more than 50 policemen, out of which 33 were seen receiving bribe on camera and 23 — holding the ranks of Sub-Inspector, Assistant Sub-Inspector, head constable and constable — were identified.
The court also went through the status reports filed by the Central Vigilance Commission and the Delhi Police. The bench noted that the Commission had expressed "helplessness" in proceeding against the policemen, for want of co-operation from other departments. The police report, on the other hand, showed a "dismal status of the probe".
"The problem is that the allegations are against the police officers, and the inquiry is being conducted by their counterparts. It seems that they will want to protect their men. Why a case of this nature consumed one-and-a-half years, and the inquiry still remains to be completed, is anybody's guess," said the bench.
Appearing for the police, Najmi Waziri advocated stern action against the policemen found guilty of accepting bribes. "Such conducts by some of the police officers is a blot on the entire force, and they must be brought to book," he said.
The next date of hearing is February 15.
As many as 23 policemen, who were found taking bribes following a sting operation, are still working with the Delhi Police. A year and a half later, police have not been able to decide on the action to be taken against the tainted officers.
The High Court on Wednesday questioned the lack of action against the 23 officers, and sought an explanation from the force.
Petitioner Chetan Sharma had shot police personnel accepting bribes on his camera. The tapes had led to the suspension of more than 130 policemen. Recently, Sharma returned to the court, seeking information on the status of his complaints.
Court expressed concern over the police's "lack of will" and summoned the investigating officer of the case, an Additional Commissioner of Police, on the next date of hearing — along with original records of the investigation.
A division bench of Acting Chief Justice A K Sikri and Justice Rajiv Sahai Endlaw said it was "forced" to monitor the investigation as the Delhi Police had failed to perform its duty.
The court was hearing a petition filed by Sharma, alleging that the police and other authorities failed to complete the probe and take action against more than 50 policemen, out of which 33 were seen receiving bribe on camera and 23 — holding the ranks of Sub-Inspector, Assistant Sub-Inspector, head constable and constable — were identified.
The court also went through the status reports filed by the Central Vigilance Commission and the Delhi Police. The bench noted that the Commission had expressed "helplessness" in proceeding against the policemen, for want of co-operation from other departments. The police report, on the other hand, showed a "dismal status of the probe".
"The problem is that the allegations are against the police officers, and the inquiry is being conducted by their counterparts. It seems that they will want to protect their men. Why a case of this nature consumed one-and-a-half years, and the inquiry still remains to be completed, is anybody's guess," said the bench.
Appearing for the police, Najmi Waziri advocated stern action against the policemen found guilty of accepting bribes. "Such conducts by some of the police officers is a blot on the entire force, and they must be brought to book," he said.
The next date of hearing is February 15.
