Dismissed Cop Inderjit Singh Arrested for Money Laundering
Arrest and Judicial Custody
Inderjit Singh, a former inspector of the Punjab Police, has been arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002. Following his arrest on October 24, 2024, he was presented before the Special Court in SAS Nagar, Mohali, and placed in judicial custody for 14 days.
Investigation Details
The ED’s investigation was based on an FIR by the Punjab Police under various acts, including the NDPS Act, IPC, PC Act, and Arms Act. The investigation revealed that Singh was involved in illegal activities with narcotics smugglers, offering them protection in exchange for bribes. He would seize drugs and arrest smugglers but later solicit bribes for their bail.
Illegal Activities and Seizures
Singh was found to have seized 13 kg of heroin, Rs 60 lakh in cash, and gold from a smuggler named Late Gurjit Singh, but only reported Rs 36 lakh. He extorted Rs 39 lakh from Gurjit’s family and pressured them to transfer property ownership. During searches, various arms, Rs 16.5 lakh in cash, foreign currency, and drugs were found in Singh’s possession.
Property Attachment
The ED has attached a property in Amritsar and a fixed deposit of Rs 32.42 lakh related to the case. Further investigations are ongoing.
Doubts Revealed
Money Laundering -: Money laundering is when people try to hide where their money came from, especially if it was earned through illegal activities. They do this to make it look like the money is from a legal source.
Punjab -: Punjab is a state in northern India. It is known for its rich culture, history, and agriculture.
Enforcement Directorate -: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) is a government agency in India that investigates financial crimes like money laundering. They make sure people follow the laws about money and finances.
Prevention of Money Laundering Act -: The Prevention of Money Laundering Act is a law in India that helps stop money laundering. It gives the government the power to investigate and punish people who try to hide illegal money.
Narcotics Smugglers -: Narcotics smugglers are people who illegally transport drugs from one place to another. They often do this secretly to avoid getting caught by the police.
Bribes -: Bribes are illegal payments or gifts given to someone to make them do something dishonest or illegal. It’s like paying someone to break the rules.
Fixed Deposit -: A fixed deposit is a type of savings account in a bank where you keep your money for a set period of time. In return, the bank gives you interest, which is extra money for keeping your money with them.