The newly-launched anti-corruption helpline of the Delhi Government has netted two police constables. The vigilance department arresting them on Saturday on charges of extortion following a sting operation.
Both the constables -- Ishwar Singh and Sandeep Kumar – are posted at the Janakpuri police station.
Chief Minister’s Secretary Rajendra Kumar said a complaint was received on the helpline from a vendor that the police constables were demanding “hafta” (protection money) from him.
The complainant had purportedly told the helpline operator that the two constables had taken Rs.3,000 from him in the past and were demanding the same amount again.
Mr. Kumar said the complainant conducted a sting operation on the two policemen and gave the recording to the anti-corruption department. At the instance of the victim, a trap was subsequently laid by the officials near a discom office in the area. When the accused constables reached there to receive the money, they were arrested.
The department would now investigate if any seniors at the police station were also involved in the alleged crime, said Mr. Kumar.
On Friday, an official of the Co-operative Group Housing Societies on Parliament Street was allegedly caught taking bribe following a complaint to the helpline.
Accused Banwari Lal had allegedly demanded a sum of Rs.5,500 from an Alipur village resident who runs a cooperative society. Lal had warned that if his demand was not met, he would issue a warrant against the complainant.