CBI to probe Def Col cops; NRI who filed charges against them

Acting on a Delhi High Court order, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has initiated a probe against three Delhi police officers for allegedly blackmailing a Non Resident Indian (NRI) and extorting ₹50 lakh from him in 2018. A counter-case was registered against the NRI businessman at the Defence Colony police station for sexually assaulting a woman, which has also been taken over by the CBI.

Australia based businessman Manish Popli had filed a case with the Crime Branch on November 2, 2018, alleging that while he was on a business trip to India in February 2018, he was trapped by a woman.

He added that three Defence Colony police officers, including the SHO and two sub-inspectors, threatened to implicate him in a sexual assault case.

Popli alleged that the police officers asked for a ₹1.5 crore bribe to settle the matter, which was revised to ₹50 lakh.

When the businessman attempted to register a complaint with the Delhi Police vigilance department, the three police officers who extorted the money asked the alleged sexual assault victim to move court and file a formal case against the NRI.

The vigilance department found merit in the NRI’S complaint, but despite substantial evidence against the police officers, the crime branch didn’t arrest anyone and stalled further probe in the case.

The businessman then moved the Delhi High Court. In January this year, the HC, acknowledging the gravity of the offence, ordered a CBI probe into alleged extortion and sexual assault.

Popli is learnt to have left India long ago. There was no comment from the Delhi Police until late in the night.