Ludhiana: On the pretext of settling a cyber complaint, a man allegedly took Rs 10,000 from a resident of Basti Jodhewal “for the then in charge of Ludhiana commissionerate cyber cell”. The incident occurred in September 2020, but the bribe came to light now when the cyber cell sleuths again called the Basti Jodhewal resident to join the investigation.
Forty-year-old resident of Basti Jodhewal told the TOI that in September 2020, he received a call from the cyber cell of Ludhiana police, stating that a complaint has been received against him. He discussed the matter with a few people, including the accused who was known to him. The accused claimed that he knew inspector Sukhpal Kaur, who was then in charge of the cyber cell.
“The accused took me to the cyber cell office, where cops told us that our Wi-Fi network was used to upload an obscene video on social media and they were investigating that case. I told them that I own a shop and we often share the password with our customers. After knowing the content of the complaint, I got scared. When we came out, the accused said he could settle the matter by talking to the cell in-charge. After that, the accused went inside the office and minutes later he returned and asked for Rs 10,000, claiming that the complaint will be closed now,” he alleged.
“I gave him the money and did not receive any call from the police for six months. A few days ago I again received a call from the cyber cell, regarding the same complaint. I was shocked and reached the cyber cell and found that inspector Sukhpal Kaur had been transferred to the women cell and the matter was never settled,” he claimed.
Inspector Sukhpal Kaur said, “On Tuesday, the Basti Jodhewal resident had come to my office and talked about the case. I never took the money and moreover I was not investigating the case. There was another investigating officer who was dealing with the case. I have asked the man to lodge an official complaint with the police and have also brought the matter to the notice of my seniors.”
The victim lodged a complaint with the commissioner of police Rakesh Agarwal on Wednesday.