By IANS,
Chandigarh : Officials of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Friday arrested a police officer from here for allegedly accepting bribe in a property dispute, evoking protests from the policeman’s supporters.
Supporters of Sanjeev Kumar, in-charge Sector 17 police post at the main plaza of the city’s commercial hub, who included shopkeepers and police officials, gathered in big numbers at the plaza to oppose his arrest.
The drama continued for nearly three hours during which the CBI officials remained closeted with Kumar inside the police post.
The CBI team accused Kumar of taking sides in a property dispute over a shop in the sector and alleged that the official was caught while accepting a bribe of Rs.50,000 from one party to the dispute.
A few supporters of the police official even tried to damage the police post and scuffled with the police. They also shouted slogans against the CBI. Reinforcements had to be rushed to prevent the situation from turning worse.
Chandigarh’s assistant superintendent of police Madhur Verma also rushed to the spot to control the situation.
The Sector 17 police post is regarded as a prized posting since it is located in the middle of the city’s biggest commercial hub.
“We did not get any prior intimation by the CBI about their surprise raid. However, now their investigation is on and the Chandigarh police will extend every possible help to the CBI,” Verma told IANS.
Verma said the police had not received any complaint against Kumar previously.
S.S. Srivastava, Senior Superintendent of Police, said: “We cannot comment on this issue right now, as we are still waiting for the CBI’s inquiry report.”