Gaya: Magadh range Inspector General (IG) of police Vikas Vaibhav on Saturday suspended Konch Station House Officer (SHO) Manoj Kumar in Gaya district after allegations surfaced that he had illegally retained two cellphones and shop keys for more than two months and allegedly demanded money for returning them.
The action followed a public grievance hearing at the office of the inspector general, where the allegations were found prima facie true during an inquiry.
The IG said, “One Shanu Kumari of Konch alleged in her application that the SHO retained two cellphones and keys of shop for more than two months despite the items not being mentioned in the seizure memo.”
“The SHO allegedly demanded money for returning those items. She claimed to have paid Rs 20,000 from the Rs 50,000 incentive amount she received after clearing the BPSC examination,” the IG added.
Tekari sub-divisional police officer conducted the inquiry following directions from the IG office. The suspended sub-inspector was also issued a strict warning over lapses at the police station level.
The complainant, Shanu Kumari, a successful candidate in the Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) examination, had appeared before the IG during a public hearing. She presented evidence that the items were not listed in any official seizure memo, yet the SHO retained them unlawfully. The demand for a bribe to return her belongings added gravity to the case.
This incident highlights the ongoing issue of police misconduct in the region, where citizens often face harassment and extortion. The IG’s swift action is seen as a step toward accountability. The suspended SHO now faces a departmental inquiry, and further legal action may follow based on the findings.
