Ex- Hero S.S Virk, who fought terrorism arrested on corruption charges

Sep 10 : Sarabdeep Singh Virk was arrested on the charges of corruption and misusing his post. The former Punjab Director General of Police was arrested by the Punjab Vigilance Bureau at Maharashtra Sadan in New Delhi.

Virk reacted that he is innocent and framed by the police officer.

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He said that the charges against him are false and it is a political conspiracy.

Virk, a 1970 batch IPS officer of Maharashtra cadre who served in Punjab for 18 years is known to have fought militancy in Punjab. He was later removed from the post by the Election Commission, questioning his credibility following complaint by Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD). He also remains suspended for purchasing land in violation of service rules. He again joined back his parent cadre Maharashtra.

During the arrest he offered no resistance, but soon after the questioning he complaint of high blood pressure. He was hospitalised, Doctors suspect stones in his gall bladder.

Talking to the media person after the arrest, Virk said that its political vendetta and he will face it. His lawyer, CharanJit Singh Bakshi too said that he is arrested on false and fabricated charges.

According to the FIR, from 2000-3, Virk is involved in real estate business against the service rule. The FIR claims he strikes a deal with Avinash Grewal, who owned 15 acres of land at Zirakpur, and after developing the land, sold it.

Payments from buyers were received through cheques and drafts that were deposited in Times Bank at Chandigarh. The FIR also mentions six HDFC Bank account numbers in the name of Virk and his wife and daughter.

The Vigilance Bureau claims large deposits and withdrawals of about 3 crores were made from the account in his name.

A number of police officers might come under the major crackdown. Human rights lawyer, who set peoples group to unearth the illegal deeds of by such officers, said that setting up a commission to hear complaints against such officers may help cleanse the system. He added that since the inception of Punjab State Human Rights Commission, 90% of complaints are against officers for extorting money from people. He said “Extortion is a hangover of terrorism in Punjab.”

Virk is believed to be a closed aide of Amarinder Singh, the ex-Chief Minister, who is himself facing corruption charges.

The two decade long terrorism, which devastated Punjab, still seems to be haunting with the charge of land grabbing and extortion of money against the one who fought terrorism.