RANCHI COPS DEMAND ₹500 BRIBE FROM NOTED ECONOMIST

RANCHI: Globally renowned development economist Jean Dreze was left speechless after his brush with the wayward ways of Jharkhand policemen who allegedly demanded ₹500 bribe to release his bike.

Belgium-born Dreze, an hon orary professor at Delhi School of Economics (DSE), on Tuesday lodged a complaint of harassment and attempted bribery against the policemen with the Ranchi deputy commissioner (DC).

The complaint, a copy of which is in possession of HT, was lodged against Lalpur police sub-inspec tor BN Singh and assistant sub inspector Suresh Thakur.

Following the complaint, a red faced Ranchi police suspended both the officers. Ranchi super intendent of police (SP) Jaya Roy has ordered a probe in the matter

In his complaint Dreze said “On December 13, a bike I bor rowed from a colleague went missing from outside Ranch College… I went to the Gonda police station to lodge a com plaint. I was directed to the Lalpur police. After two-days on December 15, they told me that the bike was picked by them allegedly to stave off a bike theft.”

“He (Suresh Thakur) asked for ₹500 bribe to release the bike but I refused. For two-days I was harassed and asked irrel evant questions,” said Dreze.

Dreze makes frequent visits in Jharkhand for research and activism-related works and moves on a bicycle or a borrowed vehicle from his colleagues, said a social activist.

The economist is known for his works in anti-corruption NREGA and hunger in the state and across India, he was member National Advisory Council, dur ing UPA government, from which he later resigned.