Graft case: ASI took money through aide, booked for extortion

Accused ASI Sahib Singh and his accomplice in Mohali on Thursday. Express

A day after the arrest of Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Sahib Singh and his accomplice, Saroj Rani, in a graft case, the vigilance bureau (VB) officials said the officer was using the woman for dealing with people. The in-charge of Mubarikpur police post and the woman were produced in a court and sent to one-day police remand on Thursday.

The vigilance bureau officials also said extortion and illegal confinement sections were also added in the FIR along with the Prevention of Corruption Act. Vigilance Bureau senior superintendent of police (SSP) Paramjeet Singh Virk said during the investigation, Sahib Singh told them that he was using Saroj as his conduit who would take money on his behalf.

He further said they are investigating that from how many people the accused had taken money. “Saroj Rani is a former panchayat member of Trivedi camp village and she used to go to the police station acting as a mediator in many cases. Sahib Singh asked the complainant, Satpal Singh, to give the bribe money to Saroj,” the SSP said.

The SSP further said a police party, led by Sahib Singh, caught Satpal and his woman friend while they were going to Derabassi in their Maruti Zen car and took both of them to the police station. He added that after taking the duo to the police station, Sahib Singh called the woman’s family members who also arrived at the police station and took the woman with them and refused to lodge any complaint against Satpal.

“Sahib Singh then asked Satpal to go but did not release the car and demanded Rs 50,000 for the same. The deal was finalised for Rs 20,000. Satpal had to pay Rs 10,000 to Saroj and in the meantime, he informed the VB,” the SSP said. The SSP also said they have booked Sahib Sing under relevant Sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act and also slapped Section 384 (extortion) and 343 (illegal confinement) against the accused SHO and his accomplice.