A police officer from Chandigarh has been arrested on corruption charges after he allegedly took an accused man to a hotel for beer and snacks before presenting him in a trial court. The incident, which came to light through viral CCTV footage, has sparked a major departmental scandal.
ASI's Unauthorized Detour Leads to Arrest
Assistant Sub-Inspector Jasbir Singh was tasked with escorting Devinder Singh Gill, an accused in a major immigration fraud case, from the Model Jail in Sector 51 to the District Courts Complex in Sector 43 for a hearing on Tuesday. Instead of proceeding directly to court, the ASI allegedly accepted a bribe and allowed Gill to take a detour.
Gill, accompanied by an associate named Harish, was taken to a hotel in Kharar, Mohali. CCTV footage from the establishment, which went viral on social media the same day, showed the accused and his associate enjoying beer and snacks for approximately an hour. After this break, Harish then drove Gill to the courts complex.
Swift Action by Senior Police Officials
Upon learning of the serious lapse, UT Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Kanwardeep Kaur took immediate and stern action. She ordered the registration of a First Information Report (FIR) against ASI Jasbir Singh. The officer was subsequently arrested on Wednesday and booked under the stringent Prevention of Corruption Act.
"The ASI has been arrested. He was booked under the Prevention of Corruption Act. Such a lapse is unacceptable," stated SSP Kanwardeep Kaur, emphasizing a zero-tolerance policy towards misconduct.
Legal action has also been initiated against Harish, the associate who facilitated the excursion, under the same anti-corruption law.
Background of the Accused and Ongoing Probe
The accused, Devinder Singh Gill, is a key figure in a sprawling immigration fraud racket. The Economic Offences Wing of the UT Police had arrested him in September 2021 for his alleged involvement in nearly 300 cases of immigration fraud.
Gill's wife, Krispy Khera, is also an accused in several immigration fraud cases and is currently absconding. The UT police have announced a reward of Rs 50,000 for any information leading to her whereabouts.
The arrest of the ASI highlights a significant breach of protocol and trust within the police escort system. The investigation is ongoing to determine the full extent of the misconduct and whether there are other similar instances.
