Cops allow EC bribery suspect to 'roam freely'

NEW DELHI: Seven Delhi Police personnel faced the wrath of the senior officers and were suspended with immediate effect following news that they relaxed rules and allowed a man under judicial custody to roam freely in Bengaluru where he was taken for a court hearing.

Sukesh Chandrashekhar was arrested on April 16 for allegedly taking money from All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (Amma) leader TTV Dhinakaran to bribe Election Commission officials in connection with the dispute over the AIADMK poll symbol of 'two leaves'.

Chandrasekhar was escorted by the Delhi Police to Mumbai, Coimbatore and Bengaluru for court hearings there 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 despite being in judicial custody.

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

Dependra Pathak, chief spokesperson Delhi Police and special commissioner of police, said, "An inquiry was ordered and the seven police personnel of 3rd Battalion will remain suspended till the inquiry is over. Delhi Police will be taking strict action."

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

He claimed that he knew people in the political circle and used their name to con people.

Chandrashekhar had allegedly told Dhinakaran that he has contacts in the Election Commission and they will help the Sasikala faction to get the AIADMK's poll symbol of two leaves in the by-election to the R K Nagar Assembly seat in Tamil Nadu.

However, Police got on Chandrashekhar's trail after they received a tip-off from an informer about certain Election Commission official being approached.

At the time of his arrest police recovered Rs 1.30 crore in cash and two luxury cars–a BMW and a Mercedes–from him.