Policemen ‘raid’ trader’s flat in Lucknow, commit dacoity
LUCKNOW : A case of dacoity was registered against seven people, including two sub-inspectors and a lawyer, for allegedly robbing a trader of Rs 1.85 crore here on Saturday.
The sub-inspectors, the lawyer and the others robbed the cash while on a ‘raid’ on the flat of the red sand trader in Omaxe Residency apartments, in Gosaiganj here, to recover ‘unaccounted’ cash, police said.
Police suspect other cops to be involved in the crime.
Additional director general (ADG) of police, Lucknow Zone, Rajeev Krishna said the miscreants, including the lawyer, who tipped off the police about the ‘unaccounted’ cash, robbed ₹ 1.85 crore out of the ₹ 3.38 crore the trader had and showed recovery of only Rs ₹ 1.53 crore.
The ADG said an FIR of dacoity has been registered against the seven people, including the two sub-inspectors, Pawan Mishra and Ashish Tewari, and the lawyer Madhukar Mishra, in the case.
He said the two sub-inspectors were suspended and arrested while efforts were on to arrest the lawyer and also identify other police personnel involved in the incident.
The ADG said a constable Pradeep Kumar Bhaudauria and his personal driver Anand Yadav were also arrested.
The ADG said police were trying to recover the remaining amount and were carrying out raids at the houses and hideouts of the lawyer and the accused police personnel.
Krishna said the income tax department had been informed about the unaccounted cash.
Senior Superintendent of police, Lucknow, Kalanidhi Naithani said initial investigation revealed that the two sub-inspectors were tipped off by the lawyer about the presence of huge unaccounted cash at flat number 104 of trader Ankit Agrahari.
He said the two sub-inspectors, the lawyer and four others raided the flat and seized the cash after the trader failed to explain the presence of such a big amount of money with him.
The SSP said the trader stated he had ₹ 3.38 crore but the police showed seizure of only ₹ 1.53 crore when other senior police officers reached the flat.
“According to the trader, the two sub-inspectors and five others took away ₹ 1.85 crore before the arrival of senior police officers,” the SSP said.
He said the trader’s allegations were primarily found true as footage of CCTVs of the apartment showed Madhukar Mishra leaving the flat with a bag before additional SP, Rural Area, Vikrant Vir and circle officer of Mohanlalganj RK Shukla reached the spot.
Another official privy to the preliminary investigation said the gunner of an ASP rank officer of Lucknow police was also involved and efforts were on to trace him. He said so far ₹40 lakh has been recovered from different places while the two sub-inspectors were being quizzed.