Pune: Police Sub-Inspector (PSI) Tanaji Sarjerao Shegar has been dismissed from service for demanding a bribe to avoid taking action in a registered case.
Shegar was stationed at Chandan Nagar Police Station under the Pune Police Commissionerate. On May 17, a case was registered against him at the Chandan Nagar Police Station under the Prevention of Corruption Act. The Anti-Corruption Bureau's (ACB) action caused a stir within the Pune police force.
A 40-year-old employee of the Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL) filed a complaint with the ACB. Shegar had informed the complainant that a case of meter theft was registered against him at the Chandan Nagar Police Station.
Shegar, who was investigating the case, demanded a bribe of five lakhs to avoid further action. After the complainant expressed his inability to pay the amount, the bribe was negotiated down to three lakhs.
Subsequently, the complainant approached the ACB, which confirmed Shegar's demand for the bribe. Consequently, a case was registered against Shegar at Chandan Nagar Police Station, and he was suspended on May 19.
Assistant Police Commissioner of the Hadapsar division conducted an investigation into the entire incident. Despite multiple summonses, Shegar failed to appear for the inquiry, leading to a one-sided investigation that found him guilty.
Additionally, it was revealed that Shegar had been negligent in his investigations of other cases. Considering these factors, Shegar's conduct was deemed damaging to the police force's reputation.
In light of these findings, Additional Commissioner of Police Manoj Patil exercised the powers granted under Sections 25 and 26 of the Maharashtra Police Act of 1951 and Article 311(2)(b) of the Indian Constitution to dismiss Police Sub-Inspector Tanaji Sarjerao Shegar from government service.
