Date:03/12/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/12/03/stories/2008120359300300.htm

New Delhi

New Usmanpur SHO suspended

Staff Reporter

For allegedly failing to properly investigate a case of cheating

A doctor had alleged that a local leader was trying to grab his plot through fraudulent means
Despite instructions by senior officers, the SHO did not arrest the accused

NEW DELHI: The Station House Officer of the New Usmanpur police station in the Capital’s trans-Yamuna area was suspended on Tuesday for allegedly failing to properly investigate a case of cheating pertaining to a piece of land.

According to the police, SHO Sushil Chand Sharma was investigating a case in which a doctor had alleged that a local political leader, who also runs a school, was trying to grab his plot in Brahmpuri through fraudulent means. The plot that was lying vacant for the past several years is said to be worth over Rs.60 lakh. The plot ow-ner alleged that he had earlier received an advance sum of Rs.6 lakh from the accused for selling the land, but he soon changed his mind and paid Rs.12 lakh to quash the deal. However, he alleged, the accused tried to grab the pr-operty on forged documents.

Based on the complaint, the police registered a case against the accused about a fortnight ago. However, no action was taken against the accused. It is learnt that the matter was reported to senior police officers who took cognisance of the matter and issued instructions to the SHO to arrest the accused by Monday evening. But no such action was taken by the inspector.

Subsequently the inspector was suspended on Tuesday afternoon and sent to the police lines. “A departmental inquiry has been set up to investigate and verify the allegations against him,” said a police officer, adding that the police would try to find if the SHO had any involvement in the plot case.