Bengaluru: A police constable in Bengaluru has been suspended for negligence after a habitual offender in his custody was found wearing his uniform during a video call with his wife.

Constable Sonare H. R., posted at Govindapura police station, was suspended after investigators discovered that Saleem Sheikh, also known as Bombay Saleem, had worn his uniform last year. Saleem has over 50 theft cases against him and is part of a gang, according to the police.

The incident came to light during an Indiranagar police investigation into a theft reported on June 23 this year. CCTV footage and other evidence linked Saleem to the crime. Police traced him to Pune, where he was arrested and brought back to Bengaluru. He was accused of stealing jewellery, sarees, and other valuables.

While examining Saleem’s phone, investigators found a screenshot from a WhatsApp video call in which he was wearing a police uniform. When questioned, Saleem said he had worn the uniform to impress his wife during a call.

Police later learned that during his arrest by the Govindapura police last year, Saleem had been taken outside Bengaluru to recover stolen property. While staying at a hotel, Sonare and another constable went out shopping, leaving Saleem locked in the room. During that time, Saleem put on Sonare’s uniform, which had been left in the room.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (West) Devaraja D. said the act amounted to negligence, leading to Sonare’s suspension.

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Gorakhpur (UP) (PTI): A newly married man fled with the Rs 15 lakh given to him as dowry by the bride's family, and it came to light later that he was an alleged serial scammer, police said on Sunday.

The accused, identified as Pritam Kumar Nishad from Etawah, allegedly posed as an IAS officer to deceive the woman into marrying him. He is currently absconding with his sister, and a case has been filed against him for cheating, dowry harassment, and forgery, officials said.

According to the police, the woman's family claimed that they spent nearly Rs 30 lakh for the wedding that was solemnised on March 11.

The match was arranged through a matrimonial group, where the accused introduced himself as an IAS officer, sharing purported interview clips, office visuals, and photographs with politicians to gain the family's trust.

Despite initially claiming he would marry without dowry, the accused allegedly demanded Rs 15 lakh shortly before the engagement. The bride's family paid Rs 10 lakh in cash during the engagement and the remaining Rs 5 lakh on the wedding day, the police said.

The fraud came to light on Saturday after the woman reached Etawah, and a wedding attendee informed the family that the accused was not a civil servant. When her relatives visited the address provided by him, they found her in a small rented room, while the accused and his sister had fled, the police added.

The woman has also alleged that the accused planned to take her to Goa and sell her, and accused him of inappropriate behaviour.

The police suspect that the accused may have been involved in multiple such marriages in the past. Based on a complaint lodged at the cantonment police station, an FIR was registered on Saturday evening.

Senior Superintendent of Police Dr Kaustubh said efforts are underway to arrest the accused.