Punjab Police ASI Arrested for Accepting Rs 8,000 Bribe in Jalandhar
The Vigilance Bureau (VB) on Monday arrested Punjab Police Assistant Sub Inspector (ASI) Gopal Singh, who was posted at the Division No 2 police station in Jalandhar, for accepting a bribe of Rs 8,000. This arrest highlights ongoing efforts to combat corruption within law enforcement agencies.
Details of the Bribery Case
According to a VB spokesperson, the case originated when the complainant's neighbour, Vijay Raj alias Pali, was arrested in a drug case based on the complainant's report. The complainant, who works as an astrologer, later visited the police station along with Vijay's sister and the locality president, Amit Kumar, to discuss the matter.
Two days after this visit, ASI Gopal Singh contacted the complainant and issued a warning. He stated that if the complainant did not come to the police station to meet him, his name would be included in the drug case. This threat set the stage for the subsequent bribery demand.
Escalation of Bribe Demands
When the complainant's younger brother, Balwant, and the locality president met with the accused ASI, Singh demanded a bribe of Rs 50,000. He claimed this payment was necessary to avoid implicating the complainant in the ongoing drug investigation. After negotiations, the amount was reduced to Rs 20,000, with an initial payment of Rs 10,000 made to the ASI.
However, Singh remained insistent on receiving the remaining Rs 10,000. When the parties expressed their inability to pay the full amount, he agreed to accept Rs 8,000 at a later date. Crucially, the complainant recorded the conversation detailing this bribe demand, providing key evidence for the investigation.
Trap and Arrest
On Monday, the Vigilance Bureau team set up a trap based on the recorded evidence. During this operation, ASI Gopal Singh was arrested red-handed while accepting the bribe of Rs 8,000. This swift action demonstrates the VB's commitment to rooting out corruption and ensuring accountability within the police force.
The arrest underscores the challenges of maintaining integrity in law enforcement and serves as a reminder of the legal consequences for such misconduct. Authorities continue to investigate the case to ensure justice is served.
