IPS officer Deshraj held guilty of graft

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, August 8

Six years after he was caught taking a bribe of Rs 1 lakh from an SHO, Deshraj Singh, an IPS officer, was held guilty by a special court here on Wednesday. Deshraj, who was then SP (City), has been found guilty under Section 7 and Section 13 (2) read with Section 13(1)(d) of the Prevention of Corruption Act. The court will pronounce the quantum of the sentence on Friday.

The 2008-batch IPS officer had allegedly demanded Rs 2 lakh from the then SHO of the Sector 26 police station, Anokh Singh, for “taking care” of an inquiry that Deshraj had initiated against him. Anokh Singh contacted the CBI, which laid a trap and nabbed Deshraj soon after he took the money.

The inquiry against Anokh Singh was opened for dereliction of duty and insubordination. According to the CBI chargesheet, Deshraj had then called Anokh Singh and demanded a bribe of Rs 2 lakh. Deshraj had said he would “twist his statement” and prevent action against the SHO.

In his final defence in the court, Deshraj took two pleas. One was that he never took the money and Anokh had kept it at his house while he had gone to the other room. CBI counsel KP Singh questioned as to why the CFSL report proved that his hands had touched the bribe money, which were smeared with phenolphtalein powder. (Deshraj’s fingers were dipped in a colourless solution, which turned pink; it is possible only after coming in contact with phenolphthalein powder).

The second defence taken by Deshraj was that Anokh Singh had come to meet him regarding another inquiry which was on against a constable. However, the CBI had questioned as to why an SHO would come to discuss or pay bribe for someone else.

Had demanded Rs 2 lakh

A 2008-batch IPS officer, Deshraj had allegedly demanded  Rs 2 lakh from the then SHO of the Sector 26 police station, Anokh Singh, for “taking care” of an inquiry that Deshraj had initiated against him. However, Anokh contacted the CBI, which laid a trap and nabbed Deshraj soon after he took Rs 1 lakh.

Timeline

Oct 18, 2012: CBI lays trap, arrests Deshraj while taking a bribe of Rs 1 lakh

Dec 12, 2012: Deshraj gets bail 

July 5, 2013: CBI receives prosecution sanction from Union Home Ministry to try Deshraj

July 7, 2013: CBI files chargesheet

Oct 14, 2013: Charges framed

Feb 14, 2014: Complainant Anokh Singh testifies against Deshraj

Aug 8, 2018:  Deshraj Singh held guilty by court