High level inquiry in policemen seizing cash under the pretext of checks case.

The police will hand over the investigation to an independent agency in a case which saw three policemen in Dehradun seizing cash from a property dealer Anurodh Panwar under the pretext of checks and seizures for enforcing model code of conduct. The case came to light after Panwar sought details of the cash from the Income Tax department and then the police, to be told that the said cash had not been deposited with the authorities. Dehradun Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Nivedita Kukreti has suspended all three accused.

After the initial investigation, SSP Kukreti has confirmed that the three accused inspector Dinesh Singh, constables Manoj and Himanshu Upadhyay used the Garhwal Inspector General Ajay Rautela’s official SUV during this incident. In fact, Dinesh Singh even posed as the Inspector General.

Director General (Law and Order) Ashok Kumar said that an independent agency will investigate this case. He said, “We have filed an FIR. All three accused have been suspended. We are going to hand over this case to an independent agency on Friday.”

When asked about allegations of policemen indulging in similar actions, seizing even smaller amounts of cash under the pretext of model code of conduct enforcement, the DG said that if any such case is reported to the police, action will be taken accordingly.

The Garhwal IG Ajay Rautela said, “We have sent our recommendations regarding the investigation of this case. Police Headquarters will be deciding whether Crime Branch-Crime Investigation Department (CB-CID), Special Investigation Team (SIT) or any other agency will conduct this investigation.”

It is important to mention here that on April 5, the property dealer went to the police officer about the seizure of his money a day ago, after which CCTV footage from around Madhuban was checked. This led to the identification of the three accused. An FIR was lodged by Panwar in Dalanwala police station. According to which a man named Anupam Mishra called Panwar to a club to hand over cash as part of some payment. Mishra handed over a bag filled with cash to Panwar who then left the site. He was later stopped by policemen near Hotel Madhuban and the cash was seized.