The Allahabad High Court has expressed its dismay over the fact that how daringly UPI transfer modes were being used by the police authorities to ask for bribe from the victims.

The Bench of Justice Manju Rani Chauhan said that “This Court is astonished to hear about the conduct of the police officer, who is expected to protect the person in need and it is the Sub Inspector, who took money from the opposite party no.2 to ensure presence before this Court. Unscrupulous functions of some responsible police authorities are being experienced in numerous cases, which has not only diminished the faith of public but is now showing the heft of dareness asking bribery from the victim through UPI transfer modes, for ensuring presence before this Court. Experiencing, inhuman behavior of State Police.”

Advocate Jay Prakash Yadav appeared for the applicant and Advocate Nishant Kumar appeared for the opposite party no. 2 and AGA K.P. Pathak appeared for the State.

In this case, an application under Section 482 of the Criminal Procedure Code, 1973 (CrPC) was filed to quash the impugned order passed by Family Court whereby the applicant was directed to pay monthly maintenance allowance of Rs. 2,000/- to the opposite party no. 2.

The High Court, after considering the financial condition of the applicant, modified the maintenance order of the Family Court and directed the applicant to pay Rs. 1000/- for monthly maintenance.

After passing the order, the counsel for the opposite party apprised the Court of the fact that a police official- Sub-Inspector took Five Thousand Five Hundred Rupees from opposite party no.2 through e-mode causing harassment, for ensuring presence before the Court.

The High Court took note of the surprising act and remarked that “which (Bribery) has now turned as a menace, inimical to the society, is needed to be nipped in the bud, otherwise, it would spread contagiously.”

Consequently, the Court directed the Commissioner of Police, Ghaziabad to ensure the presence of Sub-Inspector to explain the allegations levelled against him and to gather information about properties owned by said Sub-Inspector and his family members along with source of occupation thereof, and be brought on record by filing an affidavit to be sworn by not below the rank of Deputy Commissioner of Police.

Accordingly, the matter was listed for further hearing on April 19, 2023.

Cause Title- Rajesh Kumar v. State of U.P. and Another

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