Bribery row: Truck owner, woman cop trade charges | Patna News – Times of India
Sasaram: In a case that has triggered controversy in Rohtas district, both a truck owner and a woman sub-inspector (SI) of police have filed FIRs against each other over allegations of bribery and misconduct. The dispute began when Mohit Kumar, the truck owner, accused SI Manita Kumari of demanding a bribe to comply with a court order regarding his seized vehicle. The SI, on the other hand, filed an FIR against Kumar, alleging an attempt to defame her.
The issue dates back to March 23 this year when Kumar’s sand-laden truck was seized by police at Chenari for lacking proper documentation. SI Kumari, the investigating officer in the case, allegedly demanded Rs 30,000 to file a report required by the court for the release of the vehicle. According to Kumar, he paid Rs 5,001 on Oct 8 and Rs 5,000 on Oct 15 via UPI, promising to pay the remaining Rs 20,000 after the truck’s release. However, when he refused to pay the balance, parts of his truck, including two batteries, junk boxes and a lift wheel, were allegedly removed.
Frustrated by a lack of action from police officers, Kumar lodged a formal complaint with the public grievance redressal officer in Sasaram on Dec 16. The complaint led to an investigation and Dec 26 was set as the hearing date. Three days later, on Dec 19, the SI filed her own FIR against Kumar. She alleged that Kumar’s payments in Oct were part of a deliberate ploy to implicate her in a false bribery case.
“An investigation has been launched and appropriate action will be taken against anyone found guilty,” Sasaram SDPO Dileep Kumar said, adding that parts of the seized truck were returned to Kumar.
However, the timing of the SI’s FIR has raised eyebrows. Sources said although Kumari became aware of the UPI transactions on Dec 17, she delayed filing the FIR until Dec 19. Critics argue this was a “face-saving exercise” as bank officials confirmed SMS alerts are issued for each transaction and the SI frequently visited the bank near her railway station.
The issue dates back to March 23 this year when Kumar’s sand-laden truck was seized by police at Chenari for lacking proper documentation. SI Kumari, the investigating officer in the case, allegedly demanded Rs 30,000 to file a report required by the court for the release of the vehicle. According to Kumar, he paid Rs 5,001 on Oct 8 and Rs 5,000 on Oct 15 via UPI, promising to pay the remaining Rs 20,000 after the truck’s release. However, when he refused to pay the balance, parts of his truck, including two batteries, junk boxes and a lift wheel, were allegedly removed.
Frustrated by a lack of action from police officers, Kumar lodged a formal complaint with the public grievance redressal officer in Sasaram on Dec 16. The complaint led to an investigation and Dec 26 was set as the hearing date. Three days later, on Dec 19, the SI filed her own FIR against Kumar. She alleged that Kumar’s payments in Oct were part of a deliberate ploy to implicate her in a false bribery case.
“An investigation has been launched and appropriate action will be taken against anyone found guilty,” Sasaram SDPO Dileep Kumar said, adding that parts of the seized truck were returned to Kumar.
However, the timing of the SI’s FIR has raised eyebrows. Sources said although Kumari became aware of the UPI transactions on Dec 17, she delayed filing the FIR until Dec 19. Critics argue this was a “face-saving exercise” as bank officials confirmed SMS alerts are issued for each transaction and the SI frequently visited the bank near her railway station.
