Sub-Inspector Balwinder Singh and Assistant Sub-Inspector Harmeet Singh who are members of Chandigarh Police have been served in a chargesheet put forward by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for accepting bribes. The cops were arrested in April 2024 on bribery allegations.
The main focus of the case is a 2019 complaint that was made against Anil Kumar, alleging cheque theft. Anil Kumar was called to the Sector 17 police station by SI Balwinder Singh in April of this year, according to the CBI chargesheet. In other words, Singh told Kumar that he would arrest him if he did not give him a Rs. 1 lakh bribe to clear the case that had been reported.
According to the charge sheet, Anil Kumar has provided a detailed account of an alleged bribery attempt, he says negotiations later brought the initial demand to Rs 40, 000. However, unwilling to be extorted, Kumar approached the CBI and reported the incident.
Working with Kumar, the CBI set a trap. When ASI Harmeet Singh arrived to collect a Rs 10,000 instalment of the bribe money, CBI agents apprehended him. Following the handover of the money to SI Balwinder Singh, both officers were arrested.
The trial is scheduled for 18th July 2024. The prosecution is waiting for feedback from the Central Forensic Science Laboratory to strengthen the case/charge against the officers under investigation before they are charged. This may entail the approval of senior police officers within the Chandigarh police department.
This case highlights the ongoing issue of police corruption in India. The CBI’s involvement and chargesheet filing signals a serious attempt to address such allegations. The outcome of the court case will be closely watched, with potential implications for both the accused officers and efforts to combat corruption within the Chandigarh Police force.
