Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Sept 25: High Court has rejected the bail application of Suresh Sharma, Sub Inspector, who was caught red-handed by the Anti Corruption Bureau while accepting bribe of Rs 1 lakh.
While rejecting the bail application, Justice Tashi Rabstan observed, “when a person is arrested on the allegations of commission of heinous offences, two conflicting interests are pitted against each other, that is, personal liberty of individual involved and interest of society so as to prevent crime and punish criminal”.
“Corruption causes significant damage to the country’s economic development and achievement of developmental goals. Significant levels of corruption are still thriving in India and have become a threat to national security”, the High Court said, adding “police plays a critical role in the prevention and investigation of corruption so it must be free from all kinds of corruption and uphold the highest standards of integrity and accountability”.
Justice Rabstan further observed, “corruption by the police officer shakes the trust and confidence of people who work for police by reporting the crimes”, adding “crimes committed by the police against the victim are generally not reported who otherwise fear repercussions from the police”.
“In order to facilitate the public to report the crimes committed by the police officials there must be trust and confidence at individual and institutional levels that police serve the interest of justice and fairness”, High Court said, adding “in case any police official misuses his official position in contravention of established procedures and practices with the ulterior motive to gain illegal and undue benefit, there must be corrective and negative consequences to restore the public trust in democratic institutions”.
“Police in this case has shown utmost fairness by investigating and as stated catching hold its own official which would definitely go on to boost the morale and trust of public who intends to help the police in prevention and detection of crimes”, Justice Rabstan said, adding “this would further set an example that even if Police Department is seen as corrupt institution, still there is a ray of hope for common person to approach the same police for the prevention and detection of crimes”.
As stated, search under Section 165 CrPC has been conducted at the residential home of applicant-accused for some documents regarding investigation of the case FIR NO. 540/2019 under Section 8/21/22 NDPS Act registered in Police Station Rajouri, in which the maternal uncle of the complainant is accused and for whose release the illegal bribe was demanded and accepted in this case, the High Court said, adding “more investigation is required in this regard to collect the material”
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