4 Phagwara cops held for taking bribe to release drug smuggler

Almost the entire team of the Crime Investigation Agency (CIA), Phagwara, comprising the in-charge sub-inspector (SI), two assistant sub-inspectors (ASIs) and a head constable, was arrested on Friday for allegedly accepting a bribe to release a suspected drug smuggler.

The arrested policemen have been identified as SI Bisman Singh Sahi, ASIs Nirmal Kumar and Jaswinder Singh and head constable Jagroop Singh. The accused underwent medical examination and were produced before Judicial Magistrate Jaswinder Singh, who sent them to 5-day police custody.

Strict action against guilty

This kind of misconduct will not be tolerated under any circumstances. Strict action will be taken against anyone found guilty, regardless of rank or position.

Naveen Singla, DIG, Jalandhar Range

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DIG, Jalandhar Range, Naveen Singla said the arrested policemen had allegedly demanded and received a bribe amounting to ₹2.5 lakh to release Sukhwinder Kumar, alias Honey, a resident of Kanshi Nagar in Phagwara, who had been apprehended by the CIA team in connection with drug-smuggling activities a few days ago.

The matter came to light after DSP Bharat Bhushan filed a formal complaint, prompting swift internal action. A case under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, was registered at the Sadar police station, Phagwara, in the wee hours of Friday.

The FIR details how the accused allegedly approached Sukhwinder’s father-in-law, Ashwini Gill, and demanded a bribe to secure the suspect’s release. The bribe money was allegedly handed over to Head Constable Jagroop Singh, who then delivered it to SI Bisman Singh.

Following the payment, the officers are accused of staging a false narrative, suggesting that the suspect had escaped from custody, thereby avoiding any legal proceedings. This fabricated story, according to the complaint, was a deliberate attempt to shield the suspect from prosecution in exchange for financial gain.

DIG Singla released an official video statement, reaffirming the department’s commitment to rooting out corruption at all levels. “This kind of misconduct will not be tolerated under any circumstances. Strict action will be taken against anyone found guilty, regardless of rank or position,” he said, indicating that a wider inquiry had been launched to determine if more individuals within the department were involved or aware of the misconduct.