In Ludhiana, Punjab, major disciplinary action has been taken against 13 police officers following allegations of negligence in handling a high-value cyber fraud case from 2021. Police Commissioner Swapn Sharma has issued show-cause notices to all the officers involved for failing to properly investigate and take action, despite opportunities to arrest the accused.
The case involves an 82-year-old victim, Varinder Sood from Udham Singh Nagar, whose bank account was defrauded of ₹15 lakh without OTP authorization. The victim spent five years seeking justice and eventually moved to the Punjab and Haryana High Court for relief.
Arrest Opportunity Missed, Action Delayed
According to the notice, the accused Neel Kamal was located with crucial information provided by the victim’s son, Rishi Sood. A team conducted a raid in Himachal Pradesh and apprehended the suspect. However, due to alleged gross negligence, the suspect reportedly escaped custody, and no further arrest has since been made.
Officers Under Notice
Among the 13 officers served show-cause notices are both ACP-ranked officers and Inspectors who were responsible for various stages of the investigation. This includes failures in proper detention, investigation delays, and supervisory oversights.
The list includes:
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ACP Sumit Sood
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DSP Maninder Bedi
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DSP Bitton Kumar
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Inspector Parmdeep Singh
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Inspector Satpal
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Inspector Akash Dutt
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Inspector Gaganpreet Singh
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Inspector Harjit Singh
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Inspector Paramveer Singh
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Inspector Amritpal Singh
…among others.
Commissioner’s Warning
Police Commissioner Swapn Sharma has given all officers seven days to submit satisfactory explanations addressing their conduct and the lapses in the probe. If their responses are deemed unsatisfactory, departmental investigations and strict disciplinary action are expected to follow.
Public Reaction and Legal Impact
This action underscores growing concerns about police accountability and procedural compliance in sensitive cybercrime cases. Advocates and citizen groups argue that effective policing is crucial, especially in financial fraud targeting vulnerable citizens. The case also shines a light on challenges in inter-state coordination in investigative procedures.
