P&H High Court Flags Police-Criminals Nexus After Complainant Who Lodged Corruption Case With Evidence Agrees To Settle Case

In a scathing observation, the Punjab and Haryana High Court has flagged a nexus between the police and criminals after a complainant, who had initially lodged a corruption case supported by the audio-recording, later entered into a compromise with the accused. 

The Court was hearing a pre-arrest bail plea of a man who was accused of asking the complainant, a hotel owner in Punjab's Patiala to pay a bribe of Rs.25,000 per month which will be given to the DSP, to run his business peacefully in the area.

Justice N.S Shekhawat said, "this Court is shocked to note that the complainant, who had lodged the FIR under the provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act and had recorded conversation of the accused, has now compromised the matter with the accused in the present case, which is apparently done under the pressure of the corrupt police officer."

The Court noted that, the petitioner in the present case is facing five more criminal cases and he was acting as an agent of local police.

"So, this matter also highlights the nexus between the police officers and criminals," the court added.

"It is a sorry state of affairs, which was not handled by S.S.P Patiala as well as S.S.P Vigilance Bureau, Patiala," the court added. 

Hence, the Court directed the Director General of Police, Punjab to depute an IPS Officer of the rank of I.G and may direct him to hold an enquiry within a period of two weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of the order.

Perusing the FIR, the Court noted that it is apparent that two private persons i.e. Sikander Singh and Ajaib Singh were demanding money from the owner of a hotel for running the hotel in that area.

"They were pressurizing the owner of the hotel to give a bribe of Rs.25,000/- per month for running the hotel, with an assurance that after giving money, no body will disturb them. Even the complainant had recorded the conversation of Ajaib Singh and Sikander Singh in his mobile phone," the bench added.

From the record,  the Court also highlighted that FIR in the present case was registered on 09.10.2024 and apparently, "under the pressure of corrupt police officers, the investigation did not progress."

"More so, during the course of investigation, the attitude of police officials encouraged the accused and he was attacked the complainant and physically assaulted him, which is reflected in the order passed by the Court of Additional Sessions Judge, Patiala," the bench added.

While listing the matter for August 12, the Court asked that the DGP to file report at the earliest before the Court.

Mr. Bikramjeet Singh Jatana, Advocate for the petitioner.

Mr. M.S. Bajwa, DAG, Punjab.

Ms. Jasdeep Kaur, Advocate for the complainant.

Titel: SIKANDER SINGH v. STATE OF PUNJAB

Click here to read/download the order