Did the CBI Arrest a Senior Punjab IPS Officer on Bribery Charges?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- CBI arrests senior IPS officer and associate.
- Bribery case involves Rs 8 lakh demand.
- Significant cash and luxury items seized.
- Investigation ongoing with further searches.
- Importance of accountability in law enforcement highlighted.
Chandigarh, Oct 16 (NationPress) The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) apprehended a high-ranking Indian Police Service officer from the 2009 batch, currently serving as DIG of the Ropar Range in Punjab, alongside a private individual, in connection with a corruption case involving Rs 8 lakh.
The officer was reportedly soliciting ongoing illicit payments from the complainant.
A formal complaint was filed by the CBI against the accused officer and his associate, who were alleged to have demanded a bribe of Rs 8 lakh and sought monthly illegal remuneration via a middleman to “resolve” an FIR against the complainant and ensure that no negative police actions would affect his business.
The CBI executed a trap and caught the middleman in the act of accepting Rs 8 lakh from the complainant on behalf of the DIG in Sector 21, Chandigarh.
During the operation, a controlled call was made to the officer, where he confirmed the payment and instructed both the middleman and the complainant to visit his office.
Consequently, the CBI team arrested the officer at his office and took both suspects into custody in Chandigarh.
During searches at multiple locations associated with the officer in Punjab and Chandigarh, the CBI seized a significant amount of cash and incriminating evidence, including around Rs 5 crore, approximately 1.5 kg of jewellery, documents related to real estate, keys to two luxury vehicles (Mercedes and Audi), 22 luxury watches, locker keys, 40 liters of imported liquor, and several firearms including a double-barreled gun, a pistol, a revolver, and an airgun along with ammunition.
The middleman was also found in possession of Rs 21 lakh. Both suspects have been detained and are set to appear before the designated court on Friday.
Investigations and searches are ongoing, confirmed the lead investigation team.