In a yet another embarrassing incident, a couple in Noida has accused police of extorting money from them.
Interestingly, in this case, one of the victims is a retired IPS officer of UP cadre. The victims complained that the police have been harassing them unnecessarily after their tenant refused to pay extortion amount of Rs 1.5 lakh to them.
The tenant runs a small business from victim’s house. Police have ordered an inquiry into the matter.
As per reports, Yogendra Kumar Pachauri, who retired as DIG of UP Police, has given his property on rent to Rishabh Kesharwani in Sector 63 of Noida.
The tenant runs a trading company from the premises. According to the victims, on 10 September, around six policemen reached his company posing as members of Special Operation Group (SOG).
The policemen first sought documents and other details and later allegedly demanded extortion.
On refusing to fulfil their demand, policemen took into custody Aakash, younger brother of Rishabh and other employees.
When Pachauri talked to the policemen, they ignored him and asked him to come to police station with all the relevant documents.
The following day, Rishabh was also detained by the police.
When Pachauri and his wife Dr. Anju Pachauri reached police station to settle the matter, they were misbehaved with and were forced to leave after three hours.
Later, he contacted senior police officials and lodged a complaint before Inspector-General of Meerut zone against eight policemen.
‘We were not only treated badly but were also abused. When we urged them to settle the matter as it will malign our image, the policemen warned to face severe consequences.
We have a CCTV footage from the company premises in which policemen are clearly seen demanding money and beating the employees,’ said Anju.
Meanwhile, the senior police official said that they are trying to identify the policemen who had gone to company.
Police also informed that a special team has been set to look into the matter.
‘We have set up an inquiry team headed by circle officer to inspect the case thoroughly,’ said Yogesh Singh, superintendent of police (City).
It may be noted that Noida police had registered an FIR against five of its men including an inspector for illegally detaining a Delhi-based property dealer and extorting Rs six lakh from him in February.
The Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) had ordered inquiry into the matter and had found cops guilty and had recovered the money.