Chandigarh Police Personnel Face Multiple Criminal Charges Over Seven-Year Period
Official records and court filings have uncovered a troubling pattern of misconduct within the Chandigarh Police force, with at least twenty serving and retired personnel facing criminal or corruption charges over the past seven years. The allegations span a wide spectrum of offenses, ranging from accepting relatively small bribes to serious crimes like kidnapping and accumulating disproportionate assets.
Widespread Corruption and Bribery Cases
The Central Bureau of Investigation has been actively involved in probing numerous cases against police officers in Chandigarh. Several First Information Reports were registered following carefully planned trap operations, judicial directions, and, in some significant instances, direct intervention by the Supreme Court of India.
Among the notable graft cases, Sub-Inspectors Akhtar Hussain and Krishan Kumar were arrested in 2023 after being accused of demanding a substantial bribe of five lakh rupees from a complainant involved in a civil dispute. Departmental action was initiated promptly after the matter came to public attention.
Similarly, Constable Pawan Kumar, who was deployed with the public control room at the time, found himself booked in 2023 when a trap operation allegedly exposed his involvement in accepting a three lakh rupee bribe alongside two civilian accomplices. This particular case attracted considerable public and media attention due to the involvement of a relative of a local political figure, and the investigation remains ongoing.
Serious Criminal Allegations Including Kidnapping
Beyond corruption charges, some police personnel have faced accusations of committing serious criminal offenses. The most prominent among these cases involves the 2022 abduction of a Chandigarh-based dentist, which led to the CBI registering a formal complaint in February 2025 against seven police personnel.
This group included then Crime Branch Inspector Harinder Sekhon, who was allegedly involved in wrongfully confining the medical professional to prevent his appearance in court. The complaint was filed following a specific directive from the Supreme Court ordering a preliminary CBI probe into the alleged misconduct by police officials.
In a separate but equally serious incident, Sub-Inspector Naveen Phogat was dismissed from service after being formally charged in 2023 for allegedly kidnapping a businessman from Bathinda and extorting a staggering sum of 1.01 crore rupees from him.
Financial Irregularities and Conspiracy Charges
Some allegations have extended to financial misconduct, with Inspector Harinder Sekhon and his wife Paramjit Kaur, who also serves as a police inspector, facing CBI investigation for possessing assets disproportionate to their declared income. The probe meticulously examined their income and expenditure patterns over a four-year period.
In another concerning development, the Crime Branch of the Chandigarh Police arrested three personnel from the District Crime Cell in March 2025 on charges of criminal conspiracy. Inspector Jasminder Singh, Head Constable Satish Kumar, and Senior Constable Samunder were booked under Section 61 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
The trio allegedly harbored two individuals wanted by the Uttar Pradesh Police in connection with a substantial ATM fraud case involving 5.26 crore rupees. They reportedly showed the accused as arrested in an Arms Act case in Chandigarh to shield them from legal action by the Uttar Pradesh authorities.
Departmental Response and Disciplinary Measures
A senior officer from the Chandigarh Police provided insight into the departmental protocol when such cases emerge. "Whenever a case is registered by the CBI or any criminal complaint is lodged against a member of our force, a parallel departmental inquiry is immediately initiated," the officer explained.
The officer emphasized that concerned officers are given a fair opportunity to present their defense and version of events. "If found guilty after following due process and proper investigation, strict disciplinary action is taken in accordance with established rules and regulations," the official stated.
The range of potential penalties is comprehensive and varies depending on the severity of the misconduct. "The disciplinary measures can include demotion in rank, denial of awards and promotions, and even dismissal from service in the most serious cases," the officer added, highlighting the force's commitment to maintaining accountability and professional standards.
While some of the accused officers have since retired from service, others were serving at key police stations or specialized units when the alleged offenses occurred. The cases demonstrate ongoing challenges in police accountability and the importance of robust oversight mechanisms in law enforcement agencies.
