Sting operation: Over 30 cops suspended for taking bribes

It was a day of shame for Mumbai police as IBN-Live reported that 36 policemen were suspended after they were caught taking bribes, though there is some uncertainty about that figure as other news organisations have reported it was 32 policemen who have been suspended. According to an IBN-Live, report, a sting operation by a social activist showed them accepting bribes from residents of illegal constructions in Mumbai’s Kurla area. This comes following the collapse of an illegal building in Thane that claimed 74 lives. [caption id=“attachment_694525” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Image: Ibnlive[/caption] The suspension order was issued after state home minister RR Patil ordered the Mumbai police commissioner to take immediate action in the case. The suspended cops are attached to Nehru Nagar police station, reported the Times of India, which claimed that 32 cops were suspended Firstpost had earlier reported that since rapid urbanisation and migration has put tremendous pressure on Mumbai’s urban infrastructure, supply fell radically short of demand due to the failure of urban planning, construction took place anywhere sheltered by a land mafia, irrespective of whether it was sanctioned or not. (Read full report here ) Mohammed Khan, who carried out the sting operation, says that after cops started visiting his friends house which was being renovated for bribe, he set up a camera to gather evidence. An NDTV report, which also claims 32 cops were suspended, says Khan first approached the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), but it failed to take any congnisance of the matter. The video footage was then submitted to the local Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), said Mr Khan, who initiated an inquiry. The Mumbai Police has initiated an inquiry against the accused policemen.