Daijiworld Media Network - Patna
Patna, Oct 2: Eight police personnel and a chowkidar posted at Mufassil Police Station have been suspended following an inquiry into alleged discrepancies and manipulation of facts in an FIR related to a liquor case.
The action was taken after an investigation reportedly found serious negligence and discrepancies in the handling of the case.
Superintendent of Police (SP) Syed Imran Masood ordered the immediate suspension of the eight police personnel and the chowkidar. He also recommended to the Deputy Inspector General (DIG) that Mufassil Police Station SHO and Police Inspector Rajesh Kumar be suspended.
The action has raised concern within the police department and prompted a detailed review of the circumstances surrounding the case.
According to the SP, police received information about alleged distortion of facts while registering liquor-related cases within the Mufassil Police Station limits. A Circle Police Inspector conducted a preliminary inquiry and reportedly found the involvement of Sub-Inspectors Rajesh Kumar Sharma and Nurain Ansari.
Both officers were suspended by the Circle Police Inspector on September 26.
Subsequently, the DSP (Headquarters) was entrusted with conducting a detailed investigation. The inquiry team visited the police station, examined CCTV footage and official records, and questioned personnel involved in the raid.
Investigators reportedly found discrepancies in the facts recorded in the FIR and subsequently identified the involvement of additional police personnel.
The suspended personnel are Sub-Inspectors Rajesh Kumar Sharma, Nurain Ansari and Virendra Kumar; Constables Mannu Kumar, Prashant Kumar (QRT Hasanpur), Nilesh Kumar Paswan, Suraj Kumar and Vinod Singh Yadav.
Mufassil Police Station chowkidar Krishnadev Paswan was also suspended.
Following the action, Additional SHO Mithilesh Kumar Kunal has been given charge of Mufassil Police Station.
The recommendation concerning SHO Rajesh Kumar will now be considered at the DIG level.
The inquiry has also brought renewed scrutiny to a liquor seizure conducted by Mufassil Police on September 18 in the diara area of Sitacharan village, located across the Ganga.
During the operation, police reportedly seized country-made mahua liquor and transported it to the police station by boat.
Questions were subsequently raised over the handling of the case, particularly as an FIR had reportedly not been registered even several days after the seizure.
A video purportedly showing the liquor seizure later circulated on social media, prompting further scrutiny of the police action.