Policeman jailed for six years for breach of trust

Ruling that corruption was a major roadblock in the country's development, a court here sent a policeman to six years in jail and fined him Rs.8 lakh for criminal breach of trust and misconduct.

Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) special judge Gurvinder Pal Singh -- in the order delivered Saturday and which was released to the media Wednesday -- jailed 59-year-old Ajit Singh, assistant sub-inspector in the Anti Corruption Branch (ACB) for misappropriating Rs 6.2 lakh.

According to the CBI, Ajit Singh was malkhana in-charge of the ACB in 1997 and was given charge of Rs.6.2 lakh in cash, seized by the investigating agency in a case.

The CBI's public prosecutor P.K Dogra, while praying for maximum prison term for the convict, told the court that Singh was supposed to be the protector of entrusted case property of Rs.6.2 lakh, which he misappropriated to his own use.

"Corruption is indeed one of the major roadblocks in India's journey from a developing to a developed economy," the court said.

It said there was an urgent need to have a comprehensive framework that would help curtail corruption.

"Rigid bureaucracy, complex laws and long-drawn processes of the legal system deters people from taking legal recourse against corrupt public servants," the court said.

"The need of the hour is to sacrifice selfish approach for the sake of the society and nation."

The court urged that corruption needs to be eradicated.

"The task is arduous but not unachievable. To achieve that, one has to rise above his vainglorious interest and raise his moral standards," the court said, adding that the public should act as whistle-blowers.

The court also slapped a fine of Rs.8 lakh on the policeman and ordered that of the fine imposed, Rs.6.2 lakh shall be payable to the office of CBI ACB in Delhi as compensation for the loss suffered.