49 city cops transferred for dereliction of duty

Policemen punished for going easy on betting rackets

Delhi Police have transferred 49 personnel of north-east Delhi’s Nand Nagri police station to the third battalion of the force for allegedly failing to crack down on cricket betting rackets and other illegal activities in the area. 

Sources said the action was initiated after a 23-year-old youth filed written complaints with senior police officers, President Pranab Mukherjee, Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung and the state government’s Directorate of Vigilance.

“We want to set an example that dereliction of duty will not be tolerated. The police officers of different ranks have been transferred after a Vigilance inquiry was initiated against them,” Joint Commissioner of Police (Eastern Range) Sanjay Beniwal said.According to sources, the complaint was filed by Lalit Singh, who runs a photocopy shop in Nand Nagri with his father Himmat. 

It is claimed that several illiterate locals used to seek his help to write complaints against betting rackets and distribution of illicit liquor in the area. The complaints were then submitted to the local police. 

When police found out that Lalit used to help write the complaints, they visited his shop and allegedly threatened the father-son duo.

Lalit alleged that his father was also arrested on December 28 last year over a fake case and was sent to Tihar Jail. 

After the incident, police allegedly used to frequently warn Lalit and his family members. Lalit now claimed that he gathered evidence to teach a lesson to the local police and approached senior police officers. 

To make a strong case, he also sent the complaints to the President, the Lieutenant Governor and the Directorate of Vigilance.

Taking a serious note of the issue, a vigilance inquiry was initiated, which held the local police guilty of giving a free hand to criminal activities in the area. A report was handed over to the Police Commissioner last month.

The mass transfers comes days after the SHO of east Delhi’s Mandawali police station was sent to the district lines, while the Assistant Commissioner of Police of Madhu Vihar sub-division was removed over similar allegations. 

The orders were issued by Beniwal. 

Sources said that an order has also been issued to all SHOs directing them to keep an eye on people betting during the Indian Premiere League season.