CBI opens probe against CRPF officer

PE launched for alleged criminal misconduct in making purchases for the specialised force

CBI has initiated an inquiry against a senior CRPF officer for alleged criminal misconduct in making purchases for jawans of the force and possession of multiple health cards in violation of service rules.

 

CBI sources said a Preliminary Enquiry (PE) has been registered against Inspector General (Training) of Central Reserve Police Force, SS Sandhu, for alleged criminal misconduct in making purchases for the specialised force during his tenure as DIG, a charge which has been denied by him.

 

Sources said it has also been alleged that Sandhu possessed a number of health cards, which was against the norms for government employees.

 

CBI is collecting documents and records related to the inquiry and any further decision about converting it into a regular case would be taken once the evidence is gathered.

 

Sources said that the agency received a complaint from the Home Ministry which showed that there was prima-facie material to start a preliminary inquiry against the officer.

 

When contacted, Sandhu said he was not aware about the probe, hence he was not in a position to comment on the same. "However, there was once such complaint in 2012 also which was investigated and closed by CVC," he said.

 

Sandhu had recently attracted controversy after the Jammu and Kashmir High Court upheld a decision by the Union Home Ministry which found discrepancies in his physical fitness record and demoted him to the post of DIG.

 

The order for his demotion was issued by the CRPF Directorate and Sandhu, who is a direct recruit officer of the paramilitary force, was transferred to Silchar in Assam with immediate effect.

 

The officer, however, has obtained a stay on the latest order.

 

Jammu and Kashmir HC, in its latest order, however, allowed Sandhu to present himself before a fresh physical and medical fitness selection board within a fortnight of the issuance of the January 29 order.

 

The court also ruled that if Sandhu were to be found fit in the test, which was to be held by an AIIMS-led medical board, he "shall be promoted as Inspector General retrospectively from the date that such promotion was earlier released in his favour with all consequential benefits".