JOIN USA Delhi Police head constable has been arrested for demanding Rs 20,000 bribe from a New Ashok Nagar resident to avoid his arrest in a complaint of scuffle.
The accused has been identified as Harbir, who is posted with New Ashok Nagar police station. “He was held after the complainant approached the vigilance branch of Delhi Police,” said Deputy Commissioner of Police (Vigilance) R K Jha.
The complainant told police that he was involved in a minor quarrel on the street on November 6. A policeman then visited his house when he was not there. Next day, he received a phone call from head constable Harbir, who told him that he was wanted in a case. Harbir also told him to come to the police station in the evening.
On Tuesday, the constable said that he would be arrested in the case, but can avoid it on a payment of Rs 20,000. The complainant requested him to reduce the amount and sought time to arrange the money.
“It was a big amount for the complainant. After negotiations, the amount was settled at Rs 5,000 to be paid within two days,” Jha added.
Immediately after the meeting, the complainant reported the matter with the vigilance branch. A police team went to New Ashok Nagar after which the complainant contacted Harbir on his mobile phone. A meeting was requested for the payment.
Harbir, however, told him to contact a man named Pradeep, a juice vendor near Panchmukhi Temple in New Ashok Nagar. He said that he would inform the juice vendor to collect the money on his behalf.
The complainant met Pradeep, who also asked him to pay the money. Pradeep was apprehended by the police team. “Pradeep confessed that Harbir had informed him on his mobile phone to collect the money on his behalf,” Jha said.
The vigilance team then went to New Ashok Nagar police station and apprehended the head constable. He has been booked in a case under Prevention of Corruption Act.