Ishrat S Banwait

Tribune News service

Chandigarh, August 10

The special CBI court here sentenced IPS officer Deshraj Singh to three years in jail in a bribery case.

He was Superintendent of Police (city) in 2012 when the CBI laid a trap and caught him while accepting the bribe from an inspector. He had demanded the money to “take care” of an inquiry that he himself had marked against the inspector.

The then SP (city) was found guilty under the Prevention of Corruption Act.

The 2008 batch IPS officer had allegedly demanded Rs 2 lakh from then SHO of Sector 26 police station, Anokh Singh. However, Anokh contacted the CBI who laid a trap and nabbed Deshraj soon after he allegedly accepted the money.

The inquiry against Anokh Singh was opened for dereliction of duty and insubordination. As per the CBI chargesheet, Deshraj had called Anokh and demanded a bribe of Rs 2 lakh. Deshraj had said that he would “twist his statement” and prevent action against the SHO.

In his final defence in court, Deshraj took two pleas. One was that he never accepted the money and Anokh had kept it at his house while he had gone to the other room. However, CBI counsel KP Singh questioned as to how the CFSL report proved that his hands had touched the bribe money, which was smeared with phenolphtalein powder. (Deshraj’s fingers were dipped in a colourless solution which turned pink; it is possible only after coming in contact with the phenolphthalein powder).

The second defence taken by Deshraj in court was that Anokh Singh had come to meet him regarding another inquiry which was on against a constable of the UT police. However, the CBI had questioned as to why an SHO would come to discuss or pay bribe for someone else.

Timeline

Oct 18, 2012: CBI lays trap, arrests Deshraj while allegedly taking Rs 1 lakh

Dec 12: Deshraj get bail

July 5, 2013: CBI receives prosecution sanction from union home ministry to try Deshraj

July 7: CBI files chargesheet

Oct 14: Charges framed

Feb 14, 2014: Complainant inspector Anokh Singh testifies against Deshraj

Aug 8, 2018 Dehsraj Singh held guilty by court

Aug 10: Deshraj sentenced to 3 years in jail