Woman SI seeks bribe from retired judge's wife, suspended

Take for instance the case of a probationary woman sub-inspector (SI), who had the audacity to ask for bribe from the wife of a retired judge of the Patna High Court. The said SI, Shweta Rani, who is posted at Kotwali police station in Patna, had gone to the retired judge’s house to verify a passport application submitted by his wife.

After the paper works were completed and all other formalities over, Shweta showed no inhibitions in asking the judge’s wife to pay something for chai-paani (tea/snacks). The judge’s wife, who never flaunts her status, gave her Rs 200 out of sheer affection for the young probationary sub-inspector.

But lo and behold — Shweta refused to accept it, and insisted that she be given Rs 2000 “as it’s the rate for passport verification.”   The wife of the retired judge was stunned. Deciding enough was enough, she rang up State’s Director-General of Police (DGP) Neelmani and narrated him the entire story. The DGP was quick to respond and asked the SSP of Patna to look into the matter.

The SSP, after verifying the facts, suspended Shweta Rani, and instituted an inquiry into the matter by an ASP. Not to take things lying down, Shweta also flaunted her connections.

Soon a legislator started lobbying for her and pleaded with the top police brass not to mete out harsh punishment to the probationary police officer.  However, ADG (Headquarters) Rajvardhan Sharma said the woman sub-inspector had been placed under suspension.

“Since Shweta has committed a grave offence even while being on probation, she is liable to be dismissed from the service,” said one of the top IPS officers.