Woman IPS officer faces suspension in graft case

In a first of its kind of action against any woman IPS officer in the state, Bihar Director General of Police (DGP) Abhayanand has recommended the suspension of former Superintendent of Police (SP) of Sheikhpura, Ansuia Ransing Sahu, on corruption charges.

The SP-rank officer, who was shifted from Sheikhpura and is now waiting-for-posting, has been charged with patronising stone chips mafias, guessing centres, massage parlours, gambling and extortion through her bodyguard.

“I have sent my recommendation for suspension of the 2006-batch IPS officer on the basis of corruption charges against her,” said the DGP. Besides, he has  recommended departmental proceedings against her. Sources said since the home department was under Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, a decision on the issue was likely to be taken only after he returns from his ‘Adhikar yatra’.

Before Ansuia, Jehanabad SP, AS Rajan, was suspended during the RJD regime but that was on charges of dereliction of duty during a massacre in the area. This is the first time that a serving woman IPS officer has to face the music on corruption charges, which are so grave that the case could even lead to her dismissal from service.

Modus operandi

It all began when complaints were made to the police  against Ansuia that she was extorting money through her bodyguard, a Bihar Military Police jawan,  who’s now suspended. The police placed the mobile of the said jawan on surveillance. It was found that the bodyguard was moving in the SP’s vehicle and collecting illegal money. The DGP, posing as a sub-inspector, made a call to the bodyguard and asked for posting as a SHO of a particular police station in Sheikhpura. The bodyguard reportedly demanded Rs 2 lakh in the name of the SP for posting.