Four Gurugram policemen arrested for extortion

Four policemen of Sector 18 police station have been arrested for allegedly extorting money from a 'paratha' and cigarette cart vendor. They were sent to judicial custody after being produced in a city court.

For months, the accused policemen extorted money and got it deposited in their accounts by the vendor. Frustrated, the victim installed a camera in his hut, which captured the images of the cops while extorting money. After many days' recording, he finally met the Police Commissioner, along with bank deposit slips. Action was taken against the policemen with immediate effect. The accused cops have been identified as ASI Bijendra Kumar, Head Constable Rajbir, constable Ajay Kumar and SPO Anil.

Following the policy of zero tolerance against corruption, Gurugram Police Commissioner Vikas Kumar Arora not only suspended all four policemen but also suspended the SHO for lack of supervision. A departmental inquiry has also been initiated against all five policemen. The investigation has been handed over to ACP Udyog.

In a complaint to the Police Commissioner, Gulab Singh Sahu of Darbhanga district in Bihar said he lived in a temporary hut in Sector 18 and had set up a tea-paratha and cigarette cart there. Head Constable Rajbir threatened to shut down his cart and used to take away his goods also. He would ask for Rs 5,000 every week, which the victim gave.

“After some time, constable Ajay and SPO Anil also started coming to the cart and would take Rs 500 to Rs 1,000 every week. Troubled by it, I installed a camera inside my hut and when they came to the cart, I made a video of them while giving money. I have known ASI Bijendra, posted at Sector 18 police station, for the past four-five years. He also used to come to me and take Rs 10,000 in cash every month,” Sahu said in the complaint.

All four policemen were arrested on Thursday.