PO drug peddler roped in Chandigarh cop to frame elderly NRI: Probe

Amit Sharma

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, August 5

The investigation into the extortion from a 79-year-old NRI by Chandigarh Police constable Balwinder Singh, along with four others, including two women, has uncovered a larger conspiracy involving the arrested cop. It has been revealed that the constable was made part of the extortion plan by a drug peddler, a proclaimed offender (PO).

The investigation revealed that one of the accused, Karan, who is currently absconding, had allegedly reached out to drug peddler Gaurav, also known as Rajbir. Gaurav in turn involved the constable, who was already known to him.

Sources said the accused then made a plan to plant drugs in NRI Jaspal Singh Cheema’s car and extort money by threatening to frame him in a case under NDPS Act.

The police said raids were being conducted to nab Karan, Gaurav and another accused named Riya.

On the plan hatched by the accused, the police stated that Cheema, who was into property business earlier, had employed Harinder Kaur, one of the accused in the case. Even after Cheema moved to the USA, his association with Harinder continued, and he even paid the rent of her flat in Mohali.

Harinder, who was living alone in India, wanted Cheema to stay in the country to ensure her financial support. To achieve this, she hid Cheema’s passport when he arrived in India after a gap of six years. However, Cheema managed to obtain a new passport and was set to fly back on July 22.

Harinder then sought her friend Riya’ assistance. According to the police, Riya and Karan devised a plan to plant drugs in Cheema’s car to get him arrested, thereby extending his stay in India. Karan contacted the drug peddler, who later involved the constable. The police said before bringing Cheema for shopping in Sector 22, Harinder had, on Karan’s instructions, taken Cheema’s car to a location in Mohali to conceal drugs in it. On July 18, Cheema and Harinder went to Sector 22 and parked the car opposite Kiran Cinema. When they returned after 30 minutes, they were approached by two individuals, including the constable, who informed Cheema that they had received a tip-off and wanted to search the car. During the search, a black polythene containing opium was found.

The accused had extorted Rs 3 lakh from Cheema and took his passport to stop him from flying back. So far, the police have arrested the constable and Harinder in the case.