Faridkot DSP Rajanpal arrested for offering Rs 1 lakh bribe to SSP's reader to quash complaint

PTC Web Desk: In a major crackdown, Faridkot DSP (Crime Against Women) Rajanpal has been arrested for allegedly trying to offer a bribe of Rs 1 lakh to suppress a corruption complaint filed against him. 

According to information, the complaint was initially filed by Karmtej Singh, brother of Kiranjit Kaur, a resident of Pakka village in Faridkot. Kiranjit had lodged a matrimonial dispute complaint, which was under investigation by DSP Rajanpal. During the course of the inquiry, it is alleged that the police officer demanded and collected a bribe of Rs 1 lakh from the woman's family but failed to take any action on the case.

On learning that a formal complaint had been made against him to SSP Dr Pragya Jain, the DSP allegedly contacted ASI Jaswinder Singh, Reader to the SSP, and attempted to bribe him with Rs 1 lakh to withdraw or nullify the complaint.

However, ASI Jaswinder Singh immediately informed SSP Dr Jain of the bribery attempt. Acting on her directive, a case was registered against DSP Rajanpal under the Prevention of Corruption Act at City Police Station, and he was taken into custody.

In addition to the FIR and arrest, departmental proceedings have been initiated against the accused officer. Sources reveal that DSP Rajanpal had only recently resumed duty before the incident occurred.

In a related development, the state government has also suspended 26 police officers and government employees under the Punjab Civil Services (Punishment and Appeal) Rules, 1970, due to negligence and misconduct in duty. Many of them were allegedly involved in facilitating drug and corruption rackets inside jails.

On July 28, 25 jail officials and staff were arrested in a major operation targeting drug trafficking and corruption inside Punjab prisons.