Bribe for police work: PSI caught in the act of graft

Man files complaint about violence, threat at hands of estranged wife, family; police official asks Rs 50K to arrest accused

The Karnataka Lokayukta team apprehended a Police Sub-Inspector (PSI) accused of accepting a bribe of `25,000 on Wednesday. The PSI, identified as Gangadhar from Whitefield Police Station, allegedly demanded `50,000 from a resident of Varthur to facilitate the arrest of individuals accused in a criminal intimidation case which he had filed against his estranged wife and others on October 19. The arrest operation was led by Superintendent of Police Srinath Mahadev Joshi.

The case

According to the complainant his wife who had left him three years ago contacted him on October 9 informing him that their daughter was unwell. When the complainant informed this to his lawyer, he advised him to wait a few days before visiting. On October 17, when the complainant went to his wife’s residence in Sarjapur, her mother, her brother and her father allegedly began shouting at him and threatened him.

As the man was leaving, two individuals blocked his car near a cemetery, dragged him out, and forced him into the cemetery at 8:40 pm. One of the individuals contacted his wife, who instructed them not to let him live. They then assaulted him and fled the scene. The complainant eventually made his way to the hospital with the help of his friends and family.

He then filed a complaint at the Whitefield police station against the wife, her family and two unidentified persons, alleging threats to his life and assault.

PSI caught red-handed
The complainant said the PSI asked him for a Rs 50,000 bribe to arrest the accused. So he filed a case under the Lokayukta police about the bribe. On Wednesday, the complainant visited the station and gave Rs 25,000 as an instalment Sub-inspector which he allegedly accepted and was caught red-handed by the Lokayukta police. The money was seized and PSI Gangadhar was arrested.

PSI Gangadhar has been booked under the Prevention of Corruption Act.

Corruption at station levels
Human right activists highlighted that corruption is a widespread issue. Narendra Kumar, president of Nagarika Shakti, said that a police official being caught for a bribe is common.

“I have even filed a public interest litigation against Ponzi companies, and little to none of the funds have been recovered. Typically, I believe the cash is often removed before arrests are made. Even if there is money left, bank accounts aren’t seized, and those familiar with the department know where the money ends up,” he stated, emphasizing that this is a part of the broader corruption issue.

He added that victims of Ponzi schemes, who have lost crores of rupees, rarely recover even a quarter of their funds. However, he acknowledged that of late, technology and recordings have encouraged many officials to perform their duties more responsibly.