Former Cop Sent To 4-Year Jail For Taking Bribe To Lodge FIR

New Delhi: A sacked Delhi Police official has been sent to four years in jail by a city court for taking bribe to lodge an FIR on a woman's harassment complaint against her in-laws, saying such instances erode people's faith in the rule of law.

The court turned down the leniency plea of convict Satyawan, who was posted as a head constable in Crime Against Women Cell, saying the offence committed by him was serious in nature and no leniency can be shown to him.

"Being a police officer, he was protector of public faith in justice delivery system. However, convict Satyawan instead of acting as a guard of public interest, indulged in defying the public cause by demanding illegal gratification from the complainant for lodging FIR on the complaint of his daughter."

"When the protector of public trust becomes destroyer, the very root of the society is affected. When public servant who was working in police force indulge in an act of corruption, he not only commits an offence but erodes the faith of citizen of the country in rule of law," Special CBI Judge Pitamber Dutt said.

The court said the woman's harassment complaint was assigned to Satyawan who was supposed to help as the custodian of law but instead sought illegal gratification for doing his duty.

According to the CBI, one Dharampal had made a complaint in April 2004 that Satyawan had demanded Rs 3,000 bribe for lodging an FIR against his daughter's in-laws for allegedly harassing her.

A trap was laid by CBI and Satyawan was arrested from CAW Cell, Pitampura and Rs 2,000 was recovered from him.

During trial, the former cop denied his involvement in the offence and claimed he was falsely implicated by the complainant in connivance with CBI officials.

The court held him guilty for the offense of a public servant taking illegal gratification under the Prevention of Corruption Act.