Four UP constables dismissed for extorting money from jeweller

Four constables in Uttar Pradesh have been dismissed from service for allegedly extorting money from a jeweller after threatening to implicate him in a false drug trafficking case, officials said on Tuesday.

Superintendent of Police Saurabh Dixit said jeweller Sundaram, a resident of Jalalabad, filed a complaint at the Jalalabad police station on September 6, alleging that constables Virendra Kumar, Pankaj Kumar, Arun Kumar and Tushar Verma, who were posted at Tilhar police station, took him to a police outpost and harassed him.

The constables allegedly threatened to frame him as a "smack trafficker" and demanded money, Dixit said.

According to the complaint, Sundaram's family members subsequently reached the outpost and paid the amount demanded, after which he was released, the SP said.

The four constables were suspended after a preliminary inquiry found them prima facie guilty, Dixit said.

Pankaj Kumar and Virendra Kumar were arrested and sent to jail, while the other two constables remained absconding.

The two constables who failed to appear before the inquiry officer despite being given several opportunities were also served notices at their residences, he said.

The inquiry officer examined voice recordings, CCTV footage and other evidence before concluding that the four personnel were involved in extortion. They were subsequently dismissed from service, Dixit said.

The SP warned that strict action would be taken against police personnel found involved in such acts or accepting bribes.

"Any such incident or case of bribery involving police personnel that comes to my notice will invite strict action," Dixit said.  (with inputs from PTI)