Senior inspector suspended on bribery charges after bar owner’s sting operation
Lalasaheb Shetye (inset) of Andheri police station had allegedly sought bribe from a local bar owner to allow him to keep his establishment open till late
Continuing its crackdown on corruption in the force, Mumbai Police authorities on Sunday suspended a senior inspector attached with Andheri police station after he was caught on tape allegedly demanding bribe from a local bar owner.
The owner of the bar was reportedly violating rules by keeping it open beyond the prescribed deadline, following which Senior Police Inspector Lalasaheb Shetye of Andheri police, under whose jurisdiction the establishment fell, paid him a visit.
During the visit, Shetye allegedly sought a bribe from the businessmen to turn a blind eye. The bar owner, however, recorded the entire conversation and sent to authorities, including ACP Manoj Kumar Sharma (West), earlier this month.
Sharma took suo moto action and ordered a preliminary inquiry to verify the authenticity of the ‘sting operation’ video. After it was confirmed that the person seeking bribe was indeed Shetye, the ACP sent a report to the commissioner’s office.
Shortly after, the Senior PI, along with a constable from the same police station, were placed under suspension with immediate effect and a departmental inquiry was initiated against the duo.
Since taking over as the Police chief, Sanjay Barve has warned officials that no corruption will be tolerated and any lapses in service will attract disciplinary action.
This is the fourth case in the last two months in which officials have faced action for failing to do their duty.
Earlier this month, two officials with Economic Offences Wing (EOW) wing were suspended after they failed to arrest a former aide of Dawood even after he was detained at Mumbai Airport.
In another case, five policemen, including two officers, attached with Bhandup police station were suspended after a video of them celebrating a local goon’s birthday inside the police chowky went viral.
In July, four cops, including a senior inspector, of Kasturba Marg police station in Borivali were placed under suspension for failing to take action against illegal dance bars operating in their jurisdiction.
