UP IG Under Scanner for Letting off Terrorist for Rs 45 Lakh

CM Yogi Adityanath has ordered a probe after Punjab Police submitted proof against the police official.

Representative picture.

(Photo Courtesy: iStock)

Punjab Police has alleged that a senior Inspector General of the Uttar Pradesh Police has engaged in corrupt practices. The charges are as serious as taking a bribe of Rs 45 lakh to let off Gopi Ghyanshyampura, a Khalistani terrorist and the prime accused in last year's Nabha jailbreak.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath ordered a probe immediately after Punjab Police submitted proof of the alleged deal made by the official, who heads one of the special agencies in Uttar Pradesh, reported Times of India.

The CM called Director General of Police Sulkhan Singh and Principal Home Secretary Arvind Kumar and asked them to conduct a high-level probe into the matter.

A probe by an officer of the rank of Additional Director General (ADG) will be initiated following UP Home Secretary taking cognisance of the incident.

Sulkhan Singh, Director General of Police, told <i>TOI</i>

According to the earlier claims of Punjab Police, Gopi was last seen in Shahjahanpur on 10 September, post which he mysteriously disappeared, reported TOI.

Six suspects, with non-bailable warrants issued against them for their involvement in the last year's 27 November jail break, were arrested during last week's operations that were carried out jointly by the Punjab Police and the UP Anti-Terrorist Squad.

According to TOI, Punjab Police now claims that Gopi was released after a final deal of Rs 45 lakh was struck with an IG-rank officer in the Uttar Pradesh Police.

The matter came to light on the interrogation of three alleged collaborators – including Sandeep Tiwari alias Pintoo, a Congress contestant during 2012 Assembly elections – who had facilitated the release of Gopi.

(With inputs from Times of India)