NOIDA: With the arrest of five criminals involved in hacking ATMs and resorting to theft in neighbouring Ghaziabad, a high-level probe has been initiated by the UP police headquarters into the allegations of bribery to "let off" members of the gang involved in allegedly withdrawing "crores of rupees" from several ATM machines targeted by them across NCR.
The revelations have once again revived the tales of the "Noida police-Ghaziabad police rivalry" among police circles as this is not the first time that the forces from both the districts are looking eyeball to eyeball.
Significantly, the revelations come in the aftermath of the Noida police booking four policemen of the Indirapuram police station in Ghaziabad for extortion and illegal confinement of three Noida-based men at a police station in Ghaziabad where one of them was allegedly forced to sign two bank cheques of Rs. 5 lakh each.
Soon after the gang members identified as Shahnawaz, Sagir, Mehraj, Mohammed Umar and Zameer Sheikh made startling revelations about the role of officers of the crime branch or the Special Weapons and Tactics Team (SWAT) of Gautam Budh Nagar police, the Ghaziabad police sent a crucial report to senior police officers including ADG (Meerut) and DGP office in connection with the same.
Senior police officers confirmed that a report was received by the headquarters about the revelations that the SWAT team led by its inspector Shavez Khan allegedly took Rs 20 lakhs and an SUV to "let them off" three months back.
Officers confirmed that it was a CCTV footage recovered by the Ghaziabad police in which one of the gang members was seen seated -after which the accused named officers of the GB Nagar police’s SWAT team to have let them off in lieu of Rs 20 lakhs and a Creta.
"The gang members levelled allegations against members of the SWAT team led by an inspector. They said that they had been caught by the Noida police team three months back but were let off after they gave away Rs. 20 lakhs even as the initial demand was higher. It was alleged that some officers arrived at their hideout and took the cash. They saw a Creta car parked outside their hideout and took it with them," a source said.
The act of taking the Creta along with them was also captured in the CCTV and it was this footage which has now become an albatross around the Noida police’s neck.
"The SWAT team involved in the case had around four officers but it is being probed who benefited from the deal," a police source confirmed.
Ghaziabad police's missive leads to inquiry on GB Nagar cops
Armed with the CCTV footage, the Ghaziabad police shot off a missive to the top echelons of UP police in connection with the revelations of the accused criminals which is now being followed by an inquiry being conducted by the DG (intelligence) Devendra Chauhan.
Talking to TOI, ADG (law and order) Prashant Kumar said that the UP police headquarters has taken cognisance of the Ghaziabad’s police’s findings and initiated an inquiry to be conducted by the DG (intelligence).
"The headquarters has taken note of the issue and directed the Noida police commissioner that an inquiry be conducted in the issue and a report be submitted in the same within three days. The commissioner has also been directed to take strict action against those officers found involved in the case," he said.
ADG (Meerut) Rajeev Sabharwal too confirmed that a report was received from the Ghaziabad police and the same is being looked into by the headquarters.
"The Ghaziabad police had sent a report on the issue on Tuesday morning. The accused have made several allegations which are subject to investigation," he said.
Accused named several cops of GB Nagar, cops of another state and even private persons
A senior police officer confirmed that not only have the accused named several police officers but also mentioned about the role of some police officers of a neighbouring state along with private persons in connection with the bribery charges.
After the Ghaziabad police report created ripples in police circles, Noida police was forced to initiate an inquiry into the allegations which is being handled by DCP (crime) Abhishek Singh.
Singh who visited the Indirapuram police station on Tuesday in connection with the inquiry told TOI that he is trying to submit his report soon.
"I have been directed to inquire into the case and I will submit my findings soon. Media will be briefed," he said.
While the DCP (crime) supervises the functioning of the SWAT team or the crime branch, the unit reports directly to the police commissioner as well.
The crime branch which is a special unit of the Noida police which is always put into use by the senior police officers for working out sensitive cases across the three zones of the GBNagar police.
With eleven members, it is headed by an inspector and comprises of one sub inspector along with head constables and constables.
SWAT team incharge, constable dismissed by commissioner; nine others sent to police lines
Later on Tuesday night, the Noida police commissioner Alok Singh ordered the dismissal of the SWAT team incharge inspector Shavez Khan and constable Amrish Yadav along with ordering that the entire team be reconstituted on the merits of their officers.
Talking to TOI, commissioner Alok Singh said that he has directed the additional commissioner of police (law and order) to reconstitute the entire team on the basis of merits.
Additional commissioner of police (law and order) Love Kumar confirmed that the other members of the SWAT team may too face action.
"The two officers have been dismissed with immediate effect. The role of the other members of the SWAT team is also being probed. They too may face action if their role is confirmed," he said.
Police officers confirmed that the action followed after the preliminary inquiry carried out by the DCP (crime) suggestion exchange of money and an SUV did take place between the accused and the officers.
Inquiry into property owned by SWAT team members
The commissioner has also directed that the nine other members of the SWAT team identified as sub inspector Satender Motla, head constable Nitin Kumar, Amit Sharma, Krishan Kumar and constables Babar Ali, Adtiya Singh, Udayvir Singh, Puneet and Udit Rathi be sent to police lines. A statement from the Noida police said that directions have been issued to start an inquiry into the property owned by all the eleven members of the SWAT team.
