This story is from April 13, 2019

Cops use IG’s official car to ‘rob’ Dehradun businessman of Rs 1 crore

Cops use IG’s official car to ‘rob’ Dehradun businessman of Rs 1 crore
File photo of police headquarters
DEHRADUN: In a shocking crime which has left the police brass red-faced, three cops, including a sub inspector and two constables, used IG Garhwal’s official car to allegedly rob Rs 1 crore from a businessman in Dehradun on the pretext of seizing the unaccounted cash as the model code of conduct was in effect during poll season. One of the constables was the official driver of IG Garhwal Ajay Rautela which allowed the accused access to the car to intimidate their target.
All three have been suspended and the investigation handed to the Special Task Force (STF).
The incident took place on April 4 near a renowned hotel in Dehradun on Rajpur Road but the matter came to light this week when the businessman, Anurodh Panwar, suspected foul play and contacted police.
On April 4, the cops in IG Garhwal’s official car allegedly intercepted the businessman’s car on Rajpur Road and “seized” a bag of money with Rs 1 crore in cash. The model code of conduct allows authorities to seize unaccounted cash over Rs 50,000.
A few days after the incident when the businessman contacted the income tax department and the police to inquire about his money, he realized he had been duped and filed a complaint. Police said that prima facie it appears that Anupam Sharma, a property dealer, who had given the money to the businessman half an hour ago, was in connivance with the accused. An FIR was registered against Anupam and three unidentified men under sections 392 (loot) and 120b (criminal conspiracy) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
On the basis of CCTV footage, Dehradun police identified the accused as sub-inspector Dinesh Singh Negi, a former PRO of ex-DGP BS Sidhu, constable Himanshu, driver of IG Garhwal, and constable Manoj.
Ashok Kumar, director general (DG) law and order, told TOI that the accused policemen have been suspended.
On Friday, the investigation was handed to the Special Task Force (STF). Deputy superintendent of police (DySP) STF Kailash Pawar has been made the head of the investigating team while ASP STF Swantantra Kumar would oversee the probe.
Senior superintendent of police (SSP) Dehradun Nivedita Kukreti said that the accused had taken the IG’s car from Police Lines without permission.
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About the Author
Gaurav Talwar

Journalist with Times of India.

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