CHANDIGARH: Punjab police’s special task force (STF) on Monday arrested inspector Inderjit Singh for providing protection to drug smugglers, and for trafficking narcotics through his associates.
Additional director general of police and chief of the STF, Harpreet Singh Sidhu said a case was registered under section 59 (2) (b) of the NDPS Act and under sections 218, 466, 471, 120-B of the IPC at the STF police station in SAS Nagar against Singh and DSP Jaswant Singh.
Joint raids were then conducted by various STF teams led by Mukhwinder Singh, assistant inspector general (AIG) of the STF in Jalandhar, Snehdeep Sharma, AIG, (STF) Ludhiana and Harpreet Singh AIG (STF) Ropar.
He said that live cartridges of various calibers, an illegal 9 mm pistol of an Italian make, 12, 315 and 32 bore weapons, an AK-47 and Rs 16.50 lakh and 3,550 pounds were recovered from his residence.
“On initial interrogation and his disclosure statement, 4 kg heroin and 3 kg smack was found from his second residence at government quarter No. 3 in Phagwara.’’
Harpreet Singh Sidhu said reliable sources have informed the STF that Singh, who was under transfer to Ferozepur Range, had earlier worked in Tarn Taran for a long period and had been involved in nefarious activities with narcotics smugglers.
He added that in 2013 and 2014 he had played a big role in providing protection to smugglers operating in his jurisdiction and organised smuggling and trafficking through various associates.
He further said the accused had recovered narcotics in the past but with the motive of obtaining illegal gratification from those in his custody and promising to help them.
On receiving information from field units, it was found that in three cases, the Tarn Taran district trial court had acquitted Singh, who was then the head constable.
Sidhu said the accused inspector had deliberately committed glaring discrepancies during investigation of the above cases, which appeared to favour the accused.
During investigations it has come to light that the shortcomings were in a similar and observable pattern in many cases.
“These cases were referred to IGP (border zone) and SSP of Tarn Taran who in their reports ascertained these facts and recommended criminal action against Inderjit Singh and DSP Jaswant Singh under section 59(2) of the NDPS Act.
He also said that a case had already been registered against inspector Inderjit Singh by the Punjab vigilance bureau under the Prevention of Corruption Act, which is currently under investigation.
Sources said that the gangster Prince, who was arrested by the STF two months ago, is slated to have shared some information against Singh.