Magadh range IG suspends three police officers

Gaya: Magadh range IG Vikas Vaibhav has suspended three police personnel, including Jehanabad Sadar circle inspector (CI) Raghunath Prasad, assistant sub-inspector (ASI) Shreekant Sinha and Bankebazaar police station SHO Mantu Kumar.

In a press note issued on Wednesday, the IG said disciplinary action was initiated against the Jehanabad CI and the investigating officer for allegedly framing a complainant in a false attempt-to-murder case and sending him to jail without evidence or an injury report.

The action followed a review of a complaint submitted by Rishu Raj, a resident of Mahamadpur in Jehanabad district. Rishu alleged that he was assaulted by a rival, Atul Anand, on Feb 24 last year and he underwent treatment at the sadar hospital. However, despite repeated requests, the police allegedly did not register his FIR.

According to the complaint, Rishu later approached the court and filed a case. During the investigation, the ASI allegedly demanded Rs30,000 to remove his name from the case. When he refused to pay, he was allegedly implicated in a false case and sent to judicial custody on Feb 1 this year.

“The review revealed negligence and a one-sided investigation by the circle inspector and the investigating officer,” the IG said, adding that the Jehanabad SP has been directed to initiate departmental proceedings against both officers.

In a separate case, the IG suspended Bankebazaar SHO Mantu Kumar following an inquiry into allegations that he illegally detained an SUV belonging to a businessman and pressured him to settle a dispute by paying a large sum of money.

The matter came to light on May 20 when Amarendra Pathak, a local construction contractor, approached the IG with a complaint. The inquiry found the SHO guilty of misconduct, following which disciplinary action was taken.