Meerut : An FIR was registered on Wednesday against nine people, including eight police personnel posted at Maigalganj police station in Lakhimpur Kheri, for allegedly taking Rs 2 lakh to free one suspect and provide relief to two others in a red sand boa smuggling case.
The eight cops were also suspended for “negligence and indiscipline” following a departmental inquiry.
Maigalganj police acted on a tip-off on Sept 24 and intercepted a car near Rahajaniya underpass, according to police.
The matter came under scrutiny after the families of the arrested men approached SSP Dr Khyati Garg with allegations that the accused were “kept in a private room, beaten and pressured to pay Rs 2 lakh for release”. The detailed inquiry has now been handed over to the additional superintendent of police (west),” the SSP said. Three men — Ankit Maurya, Monu Singh and Pushkar Singh — were arrested with one live red sand boa and four mobile phones. An FIR under the Wildlife Protection Act was registered against the three and three others who are absconding. The snake was subsequently handed over to the forest department. “A preliminary inquiry conducted by the circle officer (Mitauli) found that money had been taken to release one of the accused and dilute the case against others. The inquiry also found negligence and indiscipline in the actions of the accused cops.