SHO, SI suspended in Vaishali after probe finds irregularities in seizure process

Patna: Two police officials, including a station house officer (SHO), were suspended in Vaishali district on Sunday over allegations of procedural lapses and appropriation of seized items during a raid that was carried out last month.Stolen articles, including three television sets, two live cartridges, one misfired cartridge, and copper and other metal utensils, were seized from the spot. Gold ornaments and cash were also allegedly seized during the raid, but were not mentioned in the seizure list, police said.The suspended police officials were identified as inspector Santosh Kumar, SHO of Lalganj, and sub-inspector Sumanji Jha, posted at the same police station in Vaishali.According to a statement issued by Vaishali police, based on a tip-off, police raided the house of Rampreet Sahni in Bilanpur village on Dec 30.“Some stolen items, including three TVs, two live cartridges, one empty bullet shell, and some copper and other metal utensils, were recovered from Sahni’s house during the raid. Stolen gold ornaments and some cash were also recovered from the place. However, they were not mentioned in the seizure list. Additionally, no videography of the seizure was done by the police,” the police statement said.Upon receiving information about the incident, Vaishali SP Lalit Mohan Sharma formed a team led by additional superintendent of police (ASP), Traffic, Prem Sagar, to investigate the matter.The SP said, “During the probe, it was found that the Lalganj SHO and SI were involved in procedural lapses by avoiding videography and not mentioning all the items in the seizure list. The probe report was sent to Tirhut range DIG Chandan Kumar Kushwaha, recommending action against the police officials. As per the direction of the DIG, both the police officials were suspended. SI Sumanji Jha was sent to police lines until further order.”The SP further added that earlier also the police officials had not taken action in connection with a fraud and physical exploitation of a woman from Madhya Pradesh. When they were asked for an explanation in the matter, they did not respond, he added.