When allegations of gross irregularities in the recruitment scam already leveled by candidates across the state, yet another revelation in Moradabad raised question over the selection process. The Information Commissioner (IC), Hafiz Usman, who during recent hearing learnt that how a policeman, suspended from the Department after he was held guilty in a sensational loot case, again applied and also got selected in the same Department and is now working freely. Interestingly, the officers in Moradabad were well aware of the above sensational fact but they took no cognizance.
To initiate legal proceeding in the matter and also to confirm whether some more criminals or anti-social elements might be recruited in the Police Force, Usman had ordered a high level probe by director general of police. Usman reportedly directed the DGP to get the truth enquired and send him action taken report in the matter within a month’s time. DGP, AK Jain, when contacted he confirmed of receiving direction from Usman and said that he was looking into the matter.
Reports said that one Kartar Singh, hailing from Majhola area of Moradabad, informed Usman that he had sought details about one constable Purshottam Verma, whose was help guilty in a loot and murder case registered with the local police station (Case Crime No – 250/08 under Section 307/328/442/392/420 IPC). The then SSP of Moradabad and DIG Range, after finding the involvement of Verma in the crime had placed him under suspension. Purshottam’s involvement came in a loot case of Scorpio and he remained absconding for more than six months to evade arrest. However, he reportedly surrendered and got a bail on the same day.
The victim in that loot case, Kartar Singh, informed the IC that much to his surprise, he learnt through his own sources that Verma, concealed the above facts and again applied for constable post and recruited in the Department in 2011. He said that the police officers ignored the fact that Verma was unfit to be selected in the Police Department and instead got him recruited. Kartar claimed that he sought the papers to know the truth from Officer in the SSP Moradabad office looking under Right to Information (RTI) Act. However, he said that when the officers gave no reply to his queries, he decided to brought the matter in the knowledge of Information Commissioner.
Hafiz Usman, who ordered the director general of police to get the above matter probed said that when he learnt of the fact that a constable involved in murder attempt and loot case and suspended from the Department, still managed to get same job again in the Police Department, he suspected that not only he, many more could be part of the law enforcing agency of the State due to improper verification. He said that the matter is very sensitive and required a through probe that too under a very senior officer so that a review of all those recruited in the police department in last about a decade could be made, particularly to confirm whether they were not having any criminal past. He claimed to have directed the DGP to look into Moradabad’s case and submit a report for further action. Usman said that such incidents also give bad name to the police force as if criminals would turned out to be your protector than Peoples safety would just left at the mercy of the God.