Moga SHO Arshpreet Kaur suspended for 'taking bribe' to release drug traffickers; two constables booked
PTC Web Desk: A woman Station House Officer (SHO) in Punjab’s Moga has been suspended for allegedly accepting a bribe to release drug traffickers. SHO Arshpreet Kaur Grewal, along with two constables, is accused of releasing three drug traffickers after accepting a bribe of Rs 5 lakh. The two constables have also been suspended, with FIRs registered against them.
According to an FIR filed by Moga DSP Ramandeep Singh, SHO Arshpreet Kaur Grewal, on October 1, intercepted a drug trafficker, Amarjit Singh, at a checkpoint. Amarjit was found with 2 kg of opium, and further investigation revealed that his son Gurpreet Singh and brother Manpreet Singh were also involved in the drug trafficking racket.
Upon interrogating the two additional suspects, the police reportedly seized another 3 kg of opium. However, no official record of this seizure was made, and an FIR was only registered for the initial 2 kg.
The drug traffickers then reportedly reached out to SHO Arshpreet Kaur through an intermediary, offering a bribe in exchange for their release. Initially, she allegedly demanded Rs 8 lakh, but later settled for Rs 5 lakh. The money was reportedly divided among the SHO and the two constables. Subsequently, Gurpreet Singh and Manpreet Singh were released, and they are now at large.
DSP Ramandeep Singh got a tip-off, following which he conducted a detailed investigation. FIRs have been lodged against all three police officials involved, and they have been suspended. Efforts are on to arrest the two traffickers who were released.
SHO Arshpreet Kaur Grewal became well-known during Covid-19 pandemic, serving as a frontline warrior in Punjab. She worked as the SHO of Basti Jodhewal and Division No. 2 in Ludhiana during that time.
Former Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh also personally encouraged her via a video call during the pandemic, making her the first SHO to have such interaction with a sitting Chief Minister. Her efforts were publicly acknowledged by the then DGP Dinkar Gupta, and her dedication was praised by various Punjabi celebrities, including singer Ammy Virk.
- With inputs from our correspondent
