CHHATRAPATI SAMBHAJINAGAR: Parbhani superintendent of police R Ragasudha caught seven police constables playing cards, by betting money, in the barracks. The SP suspended six of them.
The incident occurred when the SP visited the riot control police and quick response team barracks in the Parbhani police headquarters without advance notice on Thursday night.
The SP got an FIR registered against the seven constables late in the night. Five of them were suspended on Friday. The two other constables were deputed with the anti-corruption bureau and highway traffic police.
A constable attached with the anti-corruption bureau (ACB) was suspended on Saturday. An officer said this was the first instance of constables being booked for gambling within police headquarters. The FIR was registered with the Mondha police station under relevant sections of the Maharashtra Prevention of Gambling Act, following which the disciplinary action was taken. A special report was sent to the chiefs of anti-corruption and the state highway police, after which the constable with the ACB was repatriated to Parbhani police. The SP on Saturday issued the suspension order of the repatriated constable.
When contacted, Ragasudha confirmed the development and described the incident as “highly embarrassing and unbecoming for the men in uniform”.
The SP said she had visited the barracks to check the facilities and conditions in which the jawans stayed. An officer said Nanded range special inspector general of police S H Mahavarkar has appreciated the Parbhani superintendent of police for taking steps “to cleanse the system”.