In a shocking case of corruption within the force, the vigilance unit of Delhi Police has arrested a woman sub-inspector for allegedly demanding a bribe of Rs 2 lakh from the mother of a minor sexual assault victim. The officer, identified as SI Namita, was posted at the Sangam Vihar police station and was the investigating officer in the Pocso case.
The Bribe Demand and the Complaint
According to police officials, the aggrieved woman approached the vigilance unit on Thursday with a serious allegation. She claimed that Sub-Inspector Namita had been pressuring her for a payment of Rs 2 lakh. The officer allegedly promised that this money would "ensure the case proceeded in her favour." The complainant further stated that she was threatened with a deliberately slowed-down or weakened investigation if she failed to pay the bribe.
Acting swiftly on the complaint, the vigilance wing initiated a preliminary inquiry. After verifying the initial details, they decided to lay a trap to catch the officer in the act. The plan was meticulously crafted. The complainant was instructed to visit the sub-inspector's room at the Sangam Vihar police station at a pre-determined time. She was to carry Rs 15,000, which was presented as the first instalment of the total bribe amount demanded.
The Trap and Red-Handed Arrest
The sting operation unfolded as planned. When the woman met SI Namita in her room, the officer reportedly reiterated her demand for money. She then allegedly asked the complainant to place the cash inside a file lying on her table. As soon as the money changed hands, vigilance officials, who were waiting nearby, entered the room and apprehended the sub-inspector.
The officer was caught red-handed, and the marked currency of Rs 15,000 was recovered from the file. This direct evidence formed the basis for immediate legal action. A formal case was registered against SI Namita under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act. Following her arrest, she was produced before a court, which sent her to judicial custody.
Broader Investigation and a Pattern of Misconduct
The arrest has opened a wider investigation into the conduct of the accused officer. Investigators are now examining whether she made similar illegal demands in other cases she was handling. This incident has raised serious questions about integrity within the police system, especially in sensitive cases involving minors.
An official from the vigilance unit urged citizens to come forward against corruption. "Citizens are urged to report any instance of bribery demands by police personnel. Complaints can be made on Vigilance Helpline 1064," the official stated. This case is not an isolated one. In a similar incident in July this year, four police personnel, including a woman sub-inspector, were arrested in Outer Delhi's Paschim Vihar for allegedly abducting a businessman and demanding a ransom of Rs 20 lakh from him.
The arrest of SI Namita highlights the ongoing challenge of eradicating corruption from law enforcement and underscores the critical role of vigilance units and public cooperation in upholding justice.
