Court seeks Vigilance Bureau’s update on probe against IGP in Rs 20 lakh bribery case

A high-profile corruption case involving senior police officials has led the Special Judge’s court in Faridkot to seek an update from the Vigilance Bureau (VB) on its investigation against an Inspector General of Police (IGP). The court’s directive comes after the head of Dera Baba Harka Dass, Gagan Dass, approached the court seeking information on the status of the investigation.

The case, registered at the Kotkapura Sadar police station on June 2, 2023, revolves around the alleged bribery of Rs 50 lakh to manipulate the investigation of the 2019 murder of Sant Dayal Dass, deputy head of Dera Baba Harka Dass. According to the complaint, the IGP demanded Rs 50 lakh to re-nominate a rival dera leader, Sant Jarnail Dass, as an accused in the murder case. Of this, Rs 20 lakh was allegedly paid.

While the VB has filed a chargesheet against a SP Gagnesh Kumar, DSP Sushil Kumar and SI Khem Chand in this Prevention of Corruption Act case, no action has been taken against the IGP, the prime suspect.

The complainant argued that Malkiat Dass, head of a gaushala and an accused in the bribery case, has already recorded a statement under Section 164 of the CrPC. In his statement, Malkiat alleged that the Rs 20 lakh bribe was delivered to the IGP, who later demanded the remaining Rs 15 lakh directly.

The court has directed the VB to submit a status report on its investigation against the IGP.