STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: Special Judge Anticorruption Jammu Ashok Kumar Koul Thursday awarded 2 years imprisonment to Dawarika Nath S/O Badri Nath R/O village Kangrai Jammu the then ICPP GMC Jammu who was caught red-handed by the VOJ.
According to the VOJ case FIR No: 09/2009 was registered on the basis of a written complaint lodged by Ashwani Kumar (hereinafter referred to as complainant). It was alleged by the complainant that he was looking after the affairs of vehicle parking at Govt. Medical College (GMC) Jammu and the accused who was then Incharge police post GMC Jammu, was harassing him to extract money and the previous month he was paid Rs 2500/- but he was now demanding Rs.3000/- from him on monthly basis for allowing him to run the parking business smoothly. The accused even called him to his Police post and assaulted him physically leaving him with no option but to pay him though under compulsion. The complainant instead of paying the bribe money to the accused registered his protest in vigilance organization through his written complaint on 02.04.2009. After registration of the case the investigation was entrusted to inspector Ashok Singh of police station VOJ. SSP police station VOJ vide his order No.SSP/2009 dated 02.04.2009, constituted a trap team to catch the accused red handed.
Special Judge Anticorruption Jammu Ashok Kumar Koul after hearing CPO Harminder Singh for the VOJ whereas Sr. Adv PN Raina for the accused person observed that that accused has been convicted on the charges of having abused his official position by receiving illegal gratification from the complainant. So the quantum of punishment he deserves has to be worked out.
We are seized of a matter in which a police officer has been convicted on the charges of corruption. Where on one hand the society reposes a trust in the police force in respect of safety of their life and property but at the same time we find such instances which bring a bad name to the entire institution. At least one cannot expect a police officer who was Incharge of a police post to abuse the entrusted power for his gain. It is difficult to conceive a situation like the one we are dealing with where the protector of life, limb and property of complainant indulged in abuse of his official position by coercing him to pay illegal gratification. The day may not be too far, if the corruption in our society goes at the pace it is going on now, when the society will be left with no option but to revolt against the corrupt system. Having said all this, Court believes the crime committed by accused is unpardonable. So while convicting accused under section 5(1)(d) r/w Section 5(2) P.C Act and section 161 RPC, he is sentenced to simple imprisonment for two years and fine of Rs.5000/- on each count.
