Two policemen booked for taking bribe

A Delhi police sub-inspector (SI) and a head constable were Thursday booked for taking a bribe from a man after the audio recording of their act was sent to the Delhi police's vigilance helpline number 9910641064, police said.

The helpline was started Aug 6 this year for the public to file complaints against Delhi's corrupt policemen, police said.

A case under the Prevention of Corruption Act has been registered against SI Gopi Ram, attached to the Malviya Nagar police station in south Delhi, and head constable Rajbir Singh by the vigilance department and an investigation is underway.

The complainant, whose identity the police have not disclosed, forwarded the audio recording via WhatsApp to the Delhi Police vigilance department's helpline number 9910641064. The complainant had made the recording Sep 15, 2013.

The complainant stated that a dispute arose with one of his woman neighbours over the issue of car parking in Malviya Nagar area of South Delhi September 15, 2013.

Following the dispute, the woman made a call to the police. SI Gopi Ram, who came in answer to the call, threatened to arrest the complainant in a case of eve-teasing.

The complainant contacted head constable Rajbir Singh, who was known to him, to talk to the sub-inspector on his behalf.

A vigilance official said the complainant's phone was on recording mode and the conversation between the sub-inspector and the head constable was recorded.

"The audio recording contains conversation between complainant, SI and the head constable. In their conversation, the SI was heard demanding Rs. 15,000 from the complainant to settle the matter of alleged eve-teasing with his neighbour.

"In the audio recording, the head constable spoke in favour of the complainant and also directed the complainant to pay Rs. 15,000 to settle the matter," said the vigilance official.

The complainant paid Rs. 15,000 to the sub-inspector for settlement of the case. The complainant had preserved the audio clip of the conversation and sent it to the vigilance department after the helpline was launched Aug 6.

Deputy Commissioner of Police, Sindhu Pillai told IANS: "A total of 10 policemen, from constable to sub-inspector ranks, have been booked in five cases under Prevention of Corruption Act till today (Aug 21)."