PHAGWARA: In a startling development that has shaken the local law enforcement community, the Crime Investigation Agency (CIA) team of Phagwara, including its in-charge and three other police personnel, was arrested early Friday morning on charges of corruption. The arrested officers—Sub Inspector Bisman Singh Sahi, Assistant Sub-Inspectors Nirmal Kumar and Jaswinder Singh, and Head Constable Jagroop Singh—are accused of accepting a bribe in exchange for releasing a suspected drug smuggler from custody without initiating any formal legal action.
The arrests were confirmed by Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police, Jalandhar Range, Naveen Singla, who spoke to The Tribune following the operation. According to DIG Singla, the officers had allegedly demanded and received a bribe amounting to ₹2.5 lakh to release Sukhwinder Kumar, alias Honey, a resident of Kanshi Nagar, Tehsil Phagwara, who had been apprehended by the CIA team a few days ago in connection with drug smuggling activities.
The matter came to light after Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Bharat Bhushan filed a formal complaint, prompting swift internal action. A case under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, was registered at Police Station Sadar, Phagwara on wee hours today.
The FIR details how the accused CIA team members allegedly approached Sukhwinder’s father-in-law, Ashwini Gill, and demanded a bribe to secure the suspect’s release. The bribe money was reportedly handed over to Head Constable Jagroop Singh, who then delivered it to SI Bisman Singh.
Following the payment, the officers are accused of staging a false narrative, suggesting that the suspect had escaped from custody, thereby avoiding any legal proceedings. This fabricated story, according to the complaint, was a deliberate attempt to shield the suspect from prosecution in exchange for financial gain.
DIG Naveen Singla released an official video statement, reaffirming the department’s commitment to rooting out corruption at all levels. “This kind of misconduct will not be tolerated under any circumstances. Strict action will be taken against anyone found guilty, regardless of rank or position, ” he said. He also indicated that a wider inquiry has been launched to determine if more individuals within the department were involved or aware of the misconduct.
All four arrested officials underwent medical examination and are scheduled to be produced before the Judicial Magistrate in Phagwara. DIG Singla has emphasized that the investigation will be conducted with full transparency and in accordance with legal procedures.