Corruption conviction: Chandigarh police officer sentenced for four years

Corruption conviction and sentencing

Special Judge Jagjit Singh, presiding over a CBI court, has issued a significant verdict in a corruption case that dates back eight years. In this case, Sub-Inspector Sushil Kumar, an officer with the Chandigarh Police, has been sentenced to four years of rigorous imprisonment. The court also imposed a fine of Rs 20,000 on the convicted officer.

The bribery incident

Sushil Kumar's troubles began when he was apprehended by the CBI while accepting a bribe of Rs 10,000. This illicit exchange occurred within the premises of the District Courts in Sector 43. The case originated from a complaint lodged by Gursewak, who claimed that his cousin, Baljeet Singh Chaudhary, had been arrested in possession of a pistol near the District Courts in 2014. Allegedly, the Sub-Inspector reached out to Gursewak and demanded money to assist Chaudhary in securing bail. Moreover, he allegedly threatened the complainant, stating that failure to pay the bribe would result in new cases being filed against his brother.

ALSO READ: Privatization of pothole filling: Chandigarh's Innovative Approach to Road Repairs

Sentencing and prosecutor's argument

During the proceedings to determine the appropriate sentence, Narender Singh, the Public Prosecutor, argued against leniency for the accused. Singh emphasized that the seriousness of the crime should not be downplayed, especially considering that Sushil Kumar was a law enforcement officer himself.

In light of these arguments, the court found the Sub-Inspector guilty of offenses under Section 7 and 13(1)(d), both punishable under Section 13(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act. Consequently, he was sentenced to four years of rigorous imprisonment. This verdict underscores the importance of upholding the law and maintaining the integrity of law enforcement agencies, even when those entrusted with upholding the law are found to be in violation of it.

ALSO READ: Chandigarh's Contractual Medical Staff Rally Against Salary Delays