Two police officers from Bihar's Vaishali district have been suspended and face criminal charges following serious allegations of embezzling valuable items, including gold and cash, recovered during a raid at a suspected thief's residence last month.
FIR Filed After DIG-Ordered Probe
The action comes after an investigation was ordered by Tirhut range Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Chandan Kushwaha. Based on preliminary findings, an FIR has been registered against Lalganj Station House Officer (SHO) Santosh Kumar and Sub-Inspector Suman Jha. Both officers have been suspended from duty.
"Preliminary findings indicate illegal actions on the part of the officers, and as a result, an FIR will be filed," stated DIG Kushwaha, confirming that a comprehensive inquiry is underway.
Allegations Surface After Press Conference
The controversy erupted on December 31, when Lalganj sub-divisional police officer (SDPO) Gopal Mandal held a press conference to announce the dismantling of a local thieves' gang. He highlighted a raid at the home of one Ramprit Sahni in Bilnapur village, claiming recovery of stolen goods like TVs, utensils, and cartridges.
However, claims soon emerged that the police had concealed far more valuable loot. A relative of the accused, Gena Lal Sahni, along with several villagers, alleged that during the raid, police seized approximately two kilograms of gold, six kilograms of silver, and large amounts of cash. Crucially, these high-value items were allegedly not recorded in the official seizure memo or inventory.
Suspensions and Ongoing Investigation
Following the serious allegations, the matter was escalated for an in-depth investigation. Vaishali's Superintendent of Police took swift action, suspending SHO Santosh Kumar and Sub-Inspector Suman Jha with immediate effect.
The case now hinges on the detailed probe ordered by DIG Kushwaha, which will examine the discrepancies between the official record and the claims made by the raided family and villagers. The incident has cast a shadow over the police achievement touted just days earlier.
The FIR marks a significant step in holding the accused officers accountable, underscoring a commitment to address misconduct within the force. The outcome of the comprehensive inquiry is now awaited.
