In a significant verdict highlighting police corruption, two officials from the Ludhiana police force have been sentenced to four years of rigorous imprisonment for demanding bribes to tamper with a drug-related case. The sentencing concludes a seven-year legal battle that began with a meticulously planned sting operation.
The Corrupt Demand and the Sting
The case originated in August 2018 at the Tibba police station. Head constable Jaswinder Singh and special police officer (SPO) Sanjay Kumar had detained two women, Bharti Singh and Rekha Goyal, for interrogation concerning possession of intoxicants. Following the detention, the officers allegedly contacted the women's families.
As per the prosecution's case, the policemen suggested the families should "warm their pockets." When the complainant, Hardeep Singh, sought clarification, the duo explicitly demanded Rs 50,000. In return, they promised to record a lower quantity of drugs in the official First Information Report (FIR), a manipulation that would have made securing bail considerably easier for the accused.
Despite the family pleading financial hardship, the officers persisted. After a case was registered against Rekha Goyal for possessing "chitta" (synthetic heroin), they focused on Bharti Singh's case. The bribe amount was eventually negotiated down to Rs 20,000. Unwilling to give in, Hardeep Singh recorded all conversations with the officers and approached the Punjab Vigilance Bureau.
Caught Red-Handed and Courtroom Conviction
Acting on the complaint, vigilance bureau detectives laid a trap. On August 3, 2018, they caught Jaswinder Singh and Sanjay Kumar red-handed while they were accepting the marked currency notes. The audio recordings of the bribe negotiations were presented as crucial evidence in court.
After a protracted trial, Special Judge Amrinder Singh Shergill convicted both accused on Friday. The judge noted that the prosecution had successfully proven the commission of the offense "beyond any reasonable shadow of doubt." In addition to the four-year prison term, the court imposed a fine of Rs 25,000 on each convict.
The court also ruled that failure to pay the fine would result in an additional four months of rigorous imprisonment for each official.
A Stand Against Extortion
This verdict marks the end of a determined fight by a family that chose to challenge corruption within the system rather than comply with illegal demands. Their decision to collaborate with anti-corruption authorities led to a successful sting operation and a landmark conviction.
The case underscores ongoing issues of misconduct within law enforcement and serves as a stern reminder of the legal consequences for public servants who abuse their power for personal gain. The sentencing of the two police officials is seen as a victory for accountability and the rule of law in Punjab.
