Cops allegedly let EC bribery case accused roam freely in

New Delhi: Seven Delhi Police personnel had been suspended for allegedly allowing an arrested middleman in the Election Commission (EC) bribery case to shop in a Bengaluru mall, where he had been taken for a court hearing, the police said today.

Sukesh Chandrashekhar was arrested on April 16 here for allegedly taking money from AIADMK (Amma) leader TTV Dhinakaran to bribe EC officials in connection with the dispute over the AIADMK poll symbol — ‘two leaves’.

Chandrasekhar was escorted by the Delhi Police to Mumbai, Coimbatore and Bengaluru for court hearings between October 9 and 16. He had a court hearing in Mumbai, Coimbatore and Bengaluru on October 9, 12 and 16 respectively.

According to a report submitted by the Income Tax department to Delhi Police Commissioner Amulya Patnaik, Chandrasekhar was allowed to roam and shop in a mall in Bengaluru and even carry out business deals, said a senior police officer.

Dependra Pathak, Chief Spokesperson of Delhi Police and Special Commissioner of Police (traffic), said, “An inquiry was ordered yesterday and the seven police personnel of the 3rd Battalion will remain suspended till it is over. Delhi Police will take stringent action.”

The suspended police personnel were Assistant Sub- Inspector Rajesh, head constables Jeevan and J George and constables Nitin Kumar, Keshav Kumar, Dharmendar and Pushpender, the police said.

Another officer said the Crime Branch and the 3rd Battalion were considering initiating a probe in the matter and were likely to complete the inquiry within a day or two.

It is being probed whether Chandrasekhar had bribed the police personnel or was it an error of judgement on their part to allow him to roam in the mall.

PTI