4 MP cops suspended for taking Rs 20 lakh ‘hush money’ after recovery of cash from car
Bhopal (PTI): Four Madhya Pradesh police personnel have been suspended for allegedly accepting Rs 20 lakh as "hush money" from a Gujarat-based businessman after discovering Rs 1 crore in his car, police said on Sunday.
According to the police, the incident occurred on March 19 in the Ruthiyai outpost area under the Dharnaavda police station in Guna district.
A Gujarat-registered SUV was stopped for checking, and a search led to the recovery of Rs 1 crore in cash.
Instead of initiating legal action, the policemen allegedly struck a deal with the businessman, releasing the vehicle after taking Rs 20 lakh and returning Rs 80 lakh without any paperwork or informing the Income Tax department.
Talking to PTI, Gwalior Zone Inspector General of Police Arvind Saxena said, "The incident was brought to my knowledge on Saturday. I immediately sent my deputy inspector general (DIG), and after the initial inquiry, four police personnel were suspended as they did not stick to the rules while dealing with the case."
IPS officer Ayush Jakhar from Shivpuri district will conduct a detailed inquiry into the incident, he said.
The official said that Dharnaavda station house officer Prabhat Katare, Ruthiyai outpost in-charge assistant sub-inspector Sajid Hussain, head constable Devendra Singh Sikarwar and constable Sundar Raman have been suspended.
"The personnel should have seized the cash after filming it and informed the I-T department, as the amount was higher than Rs 10 lakh. For cash under Rs 10 lakh, the police under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita are empowered to take action and detain the money carrier. The competent court decides the matter," he added.
The issue took a turn after a call from Gujarat, following which Rs 20 lakh was later returned to the businessman.
The matter came to light after discussions about the alleged transaction went viral on social media, prompting senior police officers of Madhya Pradesh to take cognisance.
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CM Siddaramaiah alleges ‘criminal conspiracy’ in Sringeri recount, vows legal action
Bengaluru (PTI): Alleging a “criminal conspiracy” by BJP candidate D N Jeevaraj in the Sringeri Assembly poll recounting, Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah on Tuesday said the outcome was manipulated after valid postal ballot votes in favour of Congress leader T D Raje Gowda were tampered with during the recounting process.
Following a Karnataka High Court order on an election petition filed by Jeevaraj, challenging Raje Gowda’s election, the reverification and recounting were conducted on Saturday.
After the reverification and recount of postal ballots for the Sringeri Assembly constituency, votes polled in favour of Raje Gowda were reduced by 255, the returning officer said.
A report on the matter has been submitted to the Election Commission of India for further action, the officer added.
Congress leader Raje Gowda had won the 2023 Assembly polls from Sringeri by 201 votes, defeating his nearest rival Jeevaraj.
Addressing a press conference in Bengaluru, Siddaramaiah said the High Court had directed the recounting of postal ballots and that irregularities were noticed during the exercise conducted on May 2.
“This is a clear case of criminal conspiracy,” Siddaramaiah said, alleging that valid votes cast in favour of Raje Gowda were altered after being accepted by counting agents of all parties, including Congress, BJP, and JD(S).
He claimed that during the recounting of postal ballots, 255 votes were initially accepted as valid by all agents but were later tampered with by subordinate officials.
“There is a second mark on the votes polled in favour of Raje Gowda. They had accepted these as valid votes. Subsequently, another mark was made by officials. This is a clear case of criminal conspiracy,” he said.
When asked who was behind the alleged conspiracy, the CM replied, “It was hatched by Jeevaraj and others. It is planned.”
Siddaramaiah further alleged that the returning officer acted improperly by declaring the result despite the presence of an Election Commission observer during the recounting.
“Immediately after the counting, the returning officer announced the result. He should not have done so; this is against the law,” he said.
He pointed out that Raje Gowda had originally won by 201 votes, but after the recounting, the BJP candidate was declared the winner by 52 votes.
“The BJP has committed a criminal act of conspiracy. This is not vote chori but vote dacoity,” he alleged.
The CM said a police complaint had already been filed by Raje Gowda’s election agent, Sudhir Kumar, and emphasised the need for electoral integrity.
“We want transparency and free and fair elections. That is what our Constitution mandates,” he added.
Stating that the government would pursue legal remedies, Siddaramaiah said, “We are preparing an appeal challenging the returning officer’s announcement in a court of law.”
Responding to a separate query on elections in other states, the CM said there appeared to be an anti-incumbency factor in West Bengal, while results in Tamil Nadu were “surprising,” adding that Vijay’s party was emerging as the largest there.
Following the victory of party candidates in Bagalkote and Davanagere South, Siddaramaiah expressed confidence about future electoral prospects in Karnataka.
“Even in 2028, we will win the Assembly elections. We will come back,” the CM said.
Siddaramaiah added that he would order a forensic examination into the alleged tampering of postal ballots.
