Residents stop ‘extortion’, say cop pointed gun at RWA head

GURUGRAM: Residents of Orchid Island in Sector 51 have accused the assistant sub-inspector (ASI) of Sector 39 police chowki of brandishing his service revolver at their RWA president, and of threatening him with murder.
They uploaded a clip of the incident on Twitter and tagged local MLA Rao Narbir Singh, prompting a quick response from the state minister, who met the residents on Wednesday and assured them of action. Residents said they filed a complaint in Sector 50 police station, though no FIR was registered on the incident, with police telling TOI they are “unfamiliar with the incident”.

Residents told TOI the roots of the scuffle, which took place on Tuesday evening, goes back to the issue of two shops opening up in the society two months ago. “Orchid society is spread across 34 acres. In one corner, there is a small village, where few villagers live. Among those is a guy who works as ASI in the Sector 39 police chowki. Two months ago, we had opened a grocery and a vegetable shop in our society for the benefit of residents,” said a resident, who did not wish to be named. “Some days later, we noticed this ASI trying to extort money from the shopkeepers. We objected and sought to put an end to it.”

According to residents, their move to prevent the extortion, angered the cop.

“On June 29, we also met the commissioner of police and apprised him of the situation. Yesterday, our RWA president, Rajinder Kumar, received a call from this ASI. He used abusive language and threatened him. We have the audio recording of his call,” a resident added.

They added that around 7.30pm, the cop turned up with a band of villagers armed with lathis, and got involved in a heated exchange with the residents. It soon came to trading blows, in which both sides sustained injuries.

“During the fracas, the cop pulled out his service revolver and held it against the chest of Rajinder Kumar. It was a terrifying sight,” a resident said. “After they left the scene, we immediately rushed to the Sector 50 police station to register a complaint.”

The police spokesperson said, “Once we receive any input about the incident, we’ll take appropriate action.” TOI also rang up the Sector 39 ASI, but he did not return the calls.