Date:17/12/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/12/17/stories/2008121759820400.htm

Tamil Nadu

Inspector suspended

Special Correspondent

TAMBARAM: A traffic police inspector in St. Thomas Mount has been suspended for accepting bribe from the crew of a lorry.

Ramu of Sholavaram had submitted a complaint to Chennai Suburban Police Commissioner S.R. Jangid that last month, he was on his way to Alandur to deliver rice to a merchant. The vehicle was intercepted near Kathipara intersection by L.Venkatesan, Inspector of Police, St. Thomas Mount Traffic (Enforcement).

Though the vehicle crew furnished all relevant documents, the policeman insisted that they had committed certain violations. He is reported to have demanded Rs.5,000 . When the crew said they did not have that much money, the policeman said that he would accept whatever cash they had . Following this, The vehicle was allowed to proceed only after they gave Rs.690 and two bags of rice .

A departmental inquiry confirmed the allegations and Venkatesan was suspended. Mr. Jangid has warned stringent action against policemen if complaints about allegations of misbehaviour or misconduct were found to be true. Call or send an SMS to 96000 96400 to complain about traffic related problems or misconduct by policemen, Mr. Jangid said.