DGP vs DGPs: Arora says take to task 1 of 3 proved wrong in court

CHANDIGARH:A week before the Punjab and Haryana High Court is scheduled to resume hearing on multiple petitions and investigation reports on the alleged police-smuggler nexus in which one DGP has accused two others of “corruption”, Punjab Police chief, DGP Suresh Arora, on Thursday said the government should set an example by acting against any of three DGPs proved wrong in court.

Suresh Arora, Punjab DGP

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, July 19

A week before the Punjab and Haryana High Court is scheduled to resume hearing on multiple petitions and investigation reports on the alleged police-smuggler nexus in which one DGP has accused two others of “corruption”, Punjab Police chief, DGP Suresh Arora, on Thursday said the government should set an example by acting against any of three DGPs proved wrong in court.

DGP Arora said he chose to speak out as despite the matter being sub-judice, “wild allegations” were being made in the media, affecting the morale of the force. One of the allegations is that he was protecting former Moga SSP Raj Jit Singh (in drug smuggling cases), who allegedly protected Inspector Inderjeet Singh (since dismissed).

DGP (PSPCL) Sidharth Chhatopadhyaya had, in his individual capacity, levelled these allegations in an affidavit after being named accused in Amritsar industrialist Inderpreet Chadha’s suicide case. It is alleged that the post of Punjab DGP, which will fall vacant on September 30 after Arora’s retirement, is at the centre of the entire controversy. DGP Chhatopadhyaya and DGP (Intelligence) Dinkar Gupta are the contenders for the post.

Asked specifically about Raj Jit Singh, Arora said he had never worked with the officer and the issue pertained to 2013, when he was not even the DGP. He denied that Raj Jit was his blue-eyed boy and made it clear that if the officer was found involved in any criminal activity, he would have to face consequences under the law.

“Moreover, the Vigilance had booked Inspector Inderjeet Singh (since dismissed) on corruption charges in 2015 while I was heading the Vigilance,” he said. “My integrity and hard work is being brought under a cloud by certain vested interests, perhaps for personal gains. I will do whatever is required to defend my name and reputation and also that of my force. I will explore all legal options,” he said.

“The State of Punjab cannot compromise on the question of merit and integrity of its topmost police officers,” he said.