Bribery Scandal in Bishramganj: ASI Suspended, Two Officers Removed from Duty
This incident highlights the ongoing issue of police corruption in India. In Bishramganj, ASI Vivekananda Debbarma was suspended, and two other police personnel were reassigned to inactive duties after being accused of taking a bribe from devotees. The victims, who were returning from the Mata Tripura Sundari temple, were allegedly forced to pay ₹2,000 through Google Pay under the pretext of a fine for consuming alcohol.
Incident Overview
The alleged bribery took place three days before the disciplinary action. The police stopped the devotees and accused them of drinking alcohol, then they were told to pay a fine. They ended up paying through Google Pay to someone’s personal account. Later on, the victims shared their story on Facebook, and it blew up, which got the attention of investigators.
Administrative Response
After the incident went viral, Sepahijala’s Superintendent of Police, Bijoy Debbarma, ordered an inquiry. Upon verifying the claims, ASI Vivekananda Debbarma was suspended, and police driver Partha Das and constable Budrai Debbarma were removed from active duty. This action was taken to ensure accountability and maintain public trust in law enforcement.
Use of Digital Payment for Bribery
This situation really shows how bribery tactics have changed with the rise of digital payments. Nowadays, officers are accepting illegal transactions through platforms like Google Pay, which makes tracking corruption a lot trickier. It's pretty clear that authorities need to step up their monitoring to stop these digital financial tools from being misused in bribery cases.
Public Reaction and Media Attention
The whole thing really blew up on social media, with a lot of people venting their anger over what the police did. When the officers involved got taken off duty so quickly, it felt like a small win for those trying to get some trust back in law enforcement. But honestly, many folks think these kinds of incidents happen way too often and that we need real, lasting changes instead of just temporary fixes.
Corruption in Indian Law Enforcement
Police corruption is a long-standing issue in India. Many officers misuse their power for personal gain, which affects public trust in the legal system. In a similar case in Delhi, two police officers were caught demanding a ₹1.5 crore bribe to avoid implicating an individual in a case. Such incidents indicate the need for stronger anti-corruption measures.
Need for Reform and Accountability
To prevent such incidents, law enforcement agencies must enforce stricter rules and conduct regular audits. Officers should be held accountable through independent investigations, and technology should be used to monitor their financial transactions. Additionally, the public should be encouraged to report corruption without fear of retaliation.