SHO held with heroin, phones seized from peddlers he freed

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana February 19

Bringing disgrace to khaki, an SHO, Amandeep Singh Gill (39), was arrested by the STF with 10.35 gm of heroin, six mobile phones and a car he had seized from five criminals whom he had freed after allegedly extorting money from them.

Addressing the mediapersons, RK Jaiswal, IGP, STF, said Gill had connived with head constable Balbir Singh, who was previously suspended for extorting lakhs of rupees from some chemists.

On February 11, both the SHO (Police Division 2) and the suspended cop rounded up five criminals — Satvir Singh, Gurpal Singh of Jassowal, Harpreet Singh Peeta, Gagan of Dakha and Yadwinder Singh. They seized 10.35 gm of heroin, a Swift car, six mobile phones and Rs 50,000 from them.

Jaiswal said Gill kept all suspects in police station without registering an FIR. He initially released Gurpal and Yadwinder by taking Rs 30,000 from them and then released the others on the condition of paying him more money. He did not release their car and mobile phones.

On February 17, Balbir was arrested by the STF with 20 gram of heroin. During his interrogation, Balbir admitted to being part of a racket extorting money from smugglers and criminals. He told the STF that Gill was also part of the racket and he had recently released drug peddlers after getting his share.

The IG said the STF laid a trap and arrested the SHO from his native Khasi Kalan village and recovered 10 gram of heroin, six mobile phones and the car he had seized from the five criminals. His personal driver Ajay Kumar had also been arrested.

“Balbir is an addict, while Gill will also be made to undergo dope test. More police officers could be part of the racket. Let us probe the matter thoroughly, we will not spare the guilty,” Jaiswal said.

Meanwhile, Commissioner of Police Rakesh Agrawal suspended Gill. He was recruited as ASI on compassionate grounds after his cop father had died.

Blot on Khaki

1. June 27, 2019: Assistant Sub-Inspector Major Singh arrested with 5.5 kg of opium, illegal weapons
2. August 11: Head constable Gagandeep Gaggi posted at Khanna held with 400 gm of heroin
3. September 19: Head constables Gurpreet Singh and Dharminder Singh arrested with 22 gm of heroin
4. November 18: Head constable Amandeep Singh arrested; at least 51 gm of herion  covered from his possession
5. November 23: ASI Jagjit Singh held, 500 gm opium seized
6. February 16, 2020: Head constable Balbir Singh nabbed with 20 gm of heroin

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