Bains catches cops taking bribe

Harshraj Singh
Tribune News Service
Ludhiana, March 19

In another sting operation, Lok Insaaf Party chief-cum MLA Simarjit Singh Bains today claimed to have exposed corruption in the Police Department. Two personnel deployed at the police post located outside Dayanand Medical College and Hospital were today “caught taking bribe” from a city resident, who was running from pillar to post to get his stolen bike back. The entire episode was seen live on Facebook.

Bains sought action against the policemen who allegedly took bribe from the resident to release his bike. The bike owner, Manpreet Singh, was connected to Bains through Facebook live streaming and the sting operation was watched by hundreds of people on the social media.

Manpreet (24) said his bike was stolen from near the DMCH around two months ago. “As the police did nothing to recover my bike, I started making efforts on my own to find it. I shared my bike’s photos on the social media. I received a call from a person a few days ago who said he had seen my bike somewhere. I managed to find my bike at Subash Nagar near Jodhewal Basti.”

“After finding my bike, I took it to the police as per law. An injection and a mobile were found in the bike. When I requested the police to give me my bike, they sought Rs 10,000 as bribe. I told them that I can’t pay that much money due to my poor financial condition. They then asked me to pay Rs 5,000,” he alleged.

“I complained to MLA Simarjit Singh Bains who sent his team with me to the police chowki today. I was connected live with the MLA on Facebook during the sting operation. I gave Rs 5,000 to policeman Jaswant Singh. He kept Rs 2,000 and asked me to give the remaining Rs 3,000 to a senior officer at the chowki. I was earlier also forced to pay bribe to the policemen to get a copy of the FIR relating to the bike theft,” said Manpreet.

A leader of the party, Randhir Singh Sivia, said: “Investigating officer Jaswant Singh had handed over bribe money to Avtar Singh, who is the munshi at the chowki. In live streaming, the munshi was seen counting notes and keeping them in his pocket. Munshi was even seen taking out Rs 2,000 from his pocket when we raised the alarm. Munshi had also asked Manpreet to give Rs 3,000 to the ASI concerned. While Manpreet was going towards the ASI’s room, we reached there.”

“The deal was struck for Rs 5,000 with three policemen, the investigating officer, munshi and the ASI, at the police post. We have lodged a complaint with the police,” he said.

Bains said: “The police were harassing the youngster who was running from pillar to post to get his bike back. The police had done nothing to find his stolen bike. The bike owner himself made hard efforts to find the bike. Strict action should be taken against the corrupt policemen. I appeal to people to expose more such corrupt officers.”

Meanwhile, Jaswant Singh and Avtar Singh denied allegations. They claimed that they had not taken any bribe. Denying the allegations, the police post in-charge, ASI Malkit Singh, said he had no role in this matter.

Meanwhile, the Station House Officer concerned, Amit Thakur, reached police post. The Assistant Commissioner of Police, Mandeep Singh, said they were investigating the matter.