Dera head urges court to act against IGP in bribery case 

A week after a Special Judge directed the Vigilance Bureau (VB) to submit a status report on its investigation into allegations against an Inspector General of Police (IGP) in a Rs 20-lakh bribery case, the VB informed the court today that while the probe was going on, no substantial evidence had emerged to support the allegations.

The case centres around an alleged demand of ₹50 lakh by the IGP to re-name Sant Jarnail Dass as an accused in the 2019 murder of Sant Dayal Dass. The deal was allegedly settled at ₹35 lakh, out of which ₹20 lakh was paid. However, while the VB has filed a chargesheet against Superintendent of Police (SP) Gagnesh Kumar, DSP Sushil Kumar and SI Khem Chang, no action has been taken against the IGP.

Dera Baba Harka Dass head and complainant Sant Gagan Dass has accused the VB of shielding the senior officer. Following the VB’s latest submission, he moved an application today, urging the court to take cognisance of the “offence” by the IGP, citing overwhelming evidence.

According to the complaint, DSP Sushil Kumar initially demanded ₹50 lakh to manipulate the investigation. The final deal of ₹35 lakh was allegedly communicated to the IGP via speakerphone, to which he consented. Witness Sant Malkit Dass has detailed instances of payments made on November 9 and 11, 2022, totaling ₹20 lakh.

The IGP later allegedly summoned Sant Malkit Dass to his residence and enquired about the payments. He allegedly asked for the remaining ₹15 lakh to be paid directly to him but insisted the currency notes be exchanged at a bank first to avoid tracing, alleged Gagan Dass in his court application.

With no action taken against the IGP by the VB, the complainant has demanded judicial intervention.