7 cops dismissed for letting EC middleman roam freely

NEW DELHI: Seven personnel of Delhi Police have been suspended from service for allegedly allowing an arrested middleman in the Election Commission (EC) bribery case to shop in a Bengaluru mall, the police sources said on Monday.

The seven police personnel, belonging to the 3rd Battalion, were suspended on October 19 and an inquiry was ordered against them.

The suspended policemen include an Assistant Sub-Inspector, head constables and constables.

According to police sources, after the inquiry report found them guilty of "unprofessional conduct", they were dismissed from service. They have also been booked under the Prevention of Corruption Act.

Sukesh Chandrashekhar was arrested on April 16 in Delhi for allegedly taking money from All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (Amma) leader T T V Dhinakaran to bribe EC officials, in connection with the dispute over the AIADMK 'two leaves' poll symbol .

Chandrasekhar was escorted by the suspended policemen to Mumbai, Coimbatore, and Bengaluru for court hearings between October 9 and 16.

However, during the visit to Bengaluru, it emerged that the policemen accompanying him relaxed rules and gave him time for carrying out business deals and allowed him to roam freely, knowing well that he was in judicial custody.

As the matter was brought to the knowledge of senior officers of Delhi Police, the personnel from 3rd battalion of were immediately suspended, pending inquiry for allegedly flouting rules.

Chandrashekhar is known for his conversational skills and used to drive around in cars with red beacon to show people that he exercises influence in political circles.

He had allegedly told Dhinakaran that he has contacts in the EC and would help the Sasikala-led Amma faction secure the two leaves poll symbol for the R K Nagar Assembly by-election in Tamil Nadu.