Olympian boxer Jai Bhagwan, posted as a police inspector in Hisar district, was placed under suspension on the... Read More

CHANDIGARH: Olympian boxer Jai Bhagwan , posted as a police inspector in Hisar district, was placed under suspension on the charges of allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs 1 lakh from three persons who were arrested by him on gambling charges last month.

Besides Jai Bhagwan, constable Anil Kumar, attached with him, has also been placed under suspension. "Both Jai Bhagwan and Anil Kumar have been placed under suspension following the preliminary report by deputy superintendent of police (headquarters) who conducted an initial probe. Now, a regular probe will follow," Hisar superintendent of police Satender Kumar Gupta said.

The issue relates to arrest and release of three gamblers from Kapaas Mandi of Adampur town of Hisar on August 31. It is alleged that the accused were arrested and released within 12 hours after they had paid an amount of Rs 1 lakh to Jai Bhagwan through Anil.

It is also alleged that Jai Bhagwan had been mounting pressure on them to pay facilitation money of Rs 10,000. Fed up by the alleged pressure from Jai Bhagwan, the accused approached the Hisar SP.

"The businessmen had approached SP on September 28. Following the recording of their statements, the SP sent Jai Bhagwan and Anil Kumar to police lines till pendency of the probe. On Monday , the DSP (headquarters recorded the statements and the complainants handed over the pen drive containing the audio clips o conversation between Anil and the businessmen in which Rs 10,000 has allegedly been demanded by Jai Bhagwan through Anil," a police official said.

Jai Bhagwan is the second Olympian boxer from Haryana embroiled in a controversy and police proceedings. Earlier 2008 Beijing Olympics bronze medallist Vijender Singh's name had cropped up in the a drug peddling case in Punjab. Jai Bhagwan had won a bronze medal in the 60kg category in the 2010 Commonwealth Games at New Delhi. He made to the pre-quarterfinals in the 2012 London Olympics. He is also a two-time medallist in the Asian Boxing Championships.

Jai Bhagwan received the Arjuna award in 2014.