New Delhi: After an internal list of officers belonging to the Special Operations Group (SOG) of Noida Police, who allegedly took bribes and extorted local businessmen, was uploaded on social media, Uttar Pradesh Director General of Police OP Singh on Friday ordered the Group to be dissolved.
Singh ordered Gautam Budh Nagar Senior Superintendent of Police Ajay Pal Sharma to take strict action, after which 16 personnel of the SOG were sent to the district police lines.
The decision was taken a few hours after a tweet by a constable of the SOG – which reports to the Noida Police Crime Branch – went viral, which also contained photos of a comprehensive list of SOG officers and the various bribes taken by them for various activities from different traders and merchants.
The photos are essentially screenshots of a WhatsApp conversation, which mentions the monthly collections which range from Rs 3,000 to 10,000.
After the revelation, Sharma said that Inspector Sanjeev Kumar of the Noida Crime Branch and two constables have been suspended for their alleged involvement in this matter.
The remaining 13 personnel of the SOG have been summoned in this case. Sharma also handed over responsibility of investigation in this case to Arun Kumar Singh, Superintendent of Police (City).
The Gautam Budh Nagar SSP added that further action in the matter will be taken after the inquiry report comes out and action will be taken against those found guilty.
According to sources, the whistle blower – who is a member of the SOG – tweeted the list of 'collections' and tagged the Uttar Pradesh DGP, after he had a heated argument among other members of the Group over the distribution of money collected from different sources.
The list, which went viral on social media groups, includes the monthly amount collected from different fuel stations, cement manufacturers, hotel and restaurant owners, developers, among others.
It also mentions cash distributions among inspectors, cops and also the money used to buy weapons and airfare for three SOG team members for operation in Bihar.
The list eventually made its way to WhatsApp groups.