2 Chandigarh cops held for extorting money from drug peddler

Two policemen of UT have been arrested on charges of extorting money and drugs from a drug peddler who opened fire at them in Sector 38 recently.

The suspects, Senior Constable Pardeep and Constable Surinder, who were posted in the Sector 38 police beat under the Sector 39 police station, have come under the scanner for their alleged connections with drug peddlers.

On January 23, a man had opened fire at Pardeep and another Senior Constable Deep, after the former was allegedly stopped for checking. On a complaint filed by Pardeep, a case was registered at the Sector 39 police station.

A few days later, the District Crime Cell (DCC) nabbed Deepak Kumar Verma, alias Deepu (38), who has 14 cases registered against him, including 12 under the NDPS Act; and Rishab Sharma, alias Rishu (27).

Sources said during interrogation, Deepak revealed that he knew Pardeep and accused him of previously extorting cash, drugs and a mobile phone from him. He also alleged that the policemen forcibly took away his gold chain in Sector 38.

The sources said Deepak used to visit drug peddler Bala, also known as ‘drug queen’, who resides in Sector 38. Bala was recently arrested in an NDPS case.

Acting on these allegations, the police registered a case against Pardeep and Surinder at the Sector 39 police station and arrested them. Both were produced before the court today and the Judge remanded them in police custody for two days.

The UT police are tight-lipped regarding the accusations against the two police personnel.