Punjab: Jalalabad DSP booked for conspiring to frame PSPCL JE in fake drug case

The case has drawn attention across the state after investigators uncovered a conspiracy involving a deputy superintendent of police in Jalalabad. Gursewak Singh, the DSP in question, is reported to have absconded after allegedly coordinating with three civilian men who posed as police officers. The trio was arrested recently on charges of attempting an extortion bid, a development that has placed the DSP at the centre of a legal probe.

According to the police, the alleged conspiracy was aimed at framing a junior engineer of the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) on a fabricated drug offence. The plan, investigators say, involved planting contraband and fabricating evidence to implicate the engineer, thereby settling a personal or professional grudge. The three accused, who were not in uniform but had equipped themselves with police insignia, were detained after a tip-off led officers to a location where they were preparing the false case.

Authorities have lodged a criminal complaint against the DSP under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code, alleging conspiracy, abetment and abuse of official position. The complaint also names the three civilians, who have been produced before a magistrate and are currently in custody. The DSP, meanwhile, remains at large, prompting a manhunt by the state police.

The incident underscores the seriousness of abusing police authority for personal vendettas. In recent years, Punjab has seen several instances where officials have been accused of misusing their powers, though this case is notable for its alleged involvement of a senior officer in a criminal plot against a civilian employee of a state utility.

Legal experts note that if the charges are proven, the DSP could face imprisonment along with the other accused. The case will likely proceed through the regular criminal justice process, with the prosecution presenting evidence of the alleged conspiracy and the extortion attempt. The police have indicated that they will seek a warrant for the DSP’s arrest once his whereabouts are confirmed.

The PSPCL junior engineer, whose identity has not been disclosed, has reportedly cooperated with the investigation. He was initially questioned after the false case was discovered, and his statement helped authorities trace the actions of the three accomplices.

The state’s home department has refrained from commenting on the specifics of the investigation, citing the ongoing nature of the probe. However, an official said that the department is taking the allegations seriously and will ensure that due process is followed.

The arrest of the three civilians marks the first tangible outcome of the investigation into the alleged conspiracy. Their detention suggests that the police have sufficient evidence to link them to the plot, even though the DSP remains elusive.

The incident has sparked a broader conversation about the integrity of law enforcement in Punjab. Officials and civil society groups have called for transparency in the handling of such cases, emphasizing the need to protect both police personnel and civilians from false accusations.

As the investigation proceeds, the focus will remain on the legal proceedings against the accused and the eventual apprehension of the absconding DSP. The outcome will have implications not only for the individuals involved but also for public trust in the state’s policing apparatus.

The case continues to be monitored closely by the media and the public, with updates expected as the investigation advances and the DSP is located.

Source: Hindustan Times