Former Police Officer Sentenced to 7 Years Rigorous Imprisonment in Kollam Bribery Case
In a significant verdict against police corruption, the Kollam vigilance court on Saturday delivered a stern judgment, sentencing a former police officer to seven years of rigorous imprisonment (RI) and imposing a fine of Rs 20,000. The case centered on the acceptance of a bribe amounting to Rs 2,000, linked to an accident case that was registered at the Chathannoor police station back in 2015.
Details of the Conviction and the Accused
The convict, identified as R Mohanan, formerly served as an additional sub inspector at the Chathannoor police station and is a native of Meenad in the Kollam district. The court found him guilty of demanding and accepting illegal gratification in exchange for issuing a copy of the First Information Report (FIR) and releasing a two-wheeler that was involved in the accident case.
According to the prosecution, the incident dates back to 2015 when the complainant's vehicle was being driven by a relative, leading to the registration of the accident case. Mohanan, who was the investigating officer at the time, allegedly demanded Rs 2,000 from the complainant when approached for the FIR copy and the release of the vehicle.
How the Bribery Was Uncovered
The vigilance and anti-corruption bureau played a crucial role in this case by catching Mohanan red-handed while he was accepting the bribe. This led to a thorough investigation and subsequent trial, where the vigilance court examined the evidence and found Mohanan guilty under various sections of the law.
After the trial proceedings, the court awarded a total sentence of seven years' rigorous imprisonment. It was directed that all sentences would run concurrently, ensuring the punishment is served without overlap. The judgment was delivered by Vigilance Court Judge Mohit C S, with public prosecutor Siju Rajan representing the vigilance side during the proceedings.
Investigation and Legal Proceedings
The investigation into this bribery case was conducted by the vigilance Kollam unit, with key contributions from former deputy superintendents Radhakrishna Pillai, Ajin V S, and Ashok Kumar. Their efforts were instrumental in building a strong case that ultimately led to the conviction.
This case highlights the ongoing efforts to combat corruption within law enforcement agencies in India. It serves as a reminder of the legal consequences faced by public officials who engage in unethical practices, such as demanding bribes for official duties.
The verdict underscores the importance of vigilance mechanisms in upholding integrity and accountability in public service, particularly in sensitive matters like accident investigations where transparency is crucial.
