Air hostess-turned cop under scanner over extortion claims, murder case lapses
A Deputy Superintendent of Police in Madhya Pradesh, Neha Pachisia, who has frequently remained in the public eye for her style of functioning, is facing
A Deputy Superintendent of Police in Madhya Pradesh, Neha Pachisia, who has frequently remained in the public eye for her style of functioning, is facing multiple enquiries over allegations of extortion during a vehicle inspection and alleged lapses in handling a murder case. Following the complaint, higher authorities have suspended her driver, withdrawn three police stations from her jurisdiction and initiated separate investigations into the allegations. Read Full Story According to the complaint by a transport businessman Mahendra Jain, Pachisia, who is currently posted as the City Superintendent of Police in Katni, demanded Rs 30,000 after stopping one of his trucks during a vehicle checking drive on the night of July 21.
Jain claimed that Rs 25,000 was collected in cash on the spot, while the remaining Rs 5,000 was to be paid through the driver the following day. He further alleged that the demand was accompanied by a threat that the vehicle would be impounded and taken to the police station if he refused to pay. Jain, who owns five vehicles engaged in transporting sand and dolomite, submitted evidence along with his complaint and sought a fair investigation and action against those responsible. Pachisia left her career as an air hostess to join the police force and also has a significant social media presence.
Following the complaint, Superintendent of Police Abhinay Vishwakarma ordered a preliminary inquiry and suspended constable and driver Keshav Singh with immediate effect. The probe into the extortion allegations has been handed over to Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) Kamal Maurya. The SP also issued fresh administrative orders, removing three police stations from Pachisia’s jurisdiction and assigning their supervision to another DSP. The inquiry officer is expected to submit his report to the Superintendent of Police after completing the investigation, following which disciplinary action may be initiated if the allegations are substantiated. The extortion allegations are not the only issues confronting the officer.
A departmental inquiry is also underway into her handling of a murder case, in which the accused allegedly secured default bail after the police failed to file the charge sheet within the statutory 90-day period. In a separate development, the accused has approached a court, alleging that Pachisia coerced him into parting with his land and selling it at a substantially lower price in return for favours in the criminal case. Ends (With inputs from Amar Tamrakar in Katni)
The BriefWire