‘De-mon currency exchange racket just the tip of iceberg’

THE central crime branch (CCB) has decided to transfer all staff serving in the CCB every two years.

BENGALURU: THE central crime branch (CCB) has decided to transfer all staff serving in the CCB every two years. Police sources said there had been complaints and allegations against CCB cops of extorting money and also showing only a part of the seizure/recoveries.
CCB constables Narasimhamurthy, Gangadhar and ASI Obalegowda were suspended recently for extorting demonetised currency worth `1 crore from a bus conductor. The sources said that the accused cops were trying to exchange it with legal tender.

A senior police officer said, “The problem in CCB is many of the lower rank officials have been in one place for years and have vested interests. Even their immediate seniors are not aware of their activities. The recent racket in exchange of demonetised currency was just the tip of an iceberg.”
Former DG&IGP S T Ramesh said, “In a special wing like CCB, which handles sensitive and complex cases, it is obvious they will come in contact with underworld and other illegal networks. He added that some personnel could compromise and that’s why it was essential that they didn’t serve at one place for too long. The Central division police had arrested Ramesh Raj, an informant of CCB who planned the  money exchange at the behest of CCB officials.

City police commissioner T Suneel Kumar told Express, “I have asked joint commissioner of police (crime) to send me a report on officials attached to CCB serving at one posting for long period.”
The top cops blame politicians for their interference in postings. A senior official said, “We know many lower rank officials working with CCB for a long time. If they are transferred, they again come back with a recommendation letter from politicians. This happens quietly and swiftly.”

However, Home Minister Ramalinga Reddy said that he didn’t encourage such recommendations of politicians in transfers. “All the senior cops are empowered to transfer in their respective jurisdictions. I have also instructed to shunt the cops if there are any allegations against them,” he added.