When protectors turn predators…

Auto-driver finds lost wedding jewellery, deposits it in police station, two cops then filch it

By Our Staff Reporter

Guwahati, February 24: Two policemen were today arrested and sent behind bars after they tried to misappropriate jewellery worth Rs 2.5 lakh which was lost by a marriage party and later found by an honest auto driver who deposited it at a police station.

The family of Dinesh Das was travelling from Tetelia to Barpeta for a marriage ceremony this morning when the bag containing the jewellery was dropped on the way.

An auto driver, identified as Jengo, found the bag on the roadside at Jalukbari and deposited it at the outpost there.

After Das’ family realized that their bag was missing from the Winger vehicle they were travelling in, they rushed to inform the police at Jalukbari police outpost.

However, the police posted at the outpost insisted that the bag which was deposited with them was empty. This led to an outcry in the outpost, with Das’ family refusing to believe the police version.

ADCP Madhurima Das rushed to the outpost and assured the family of a probe into the matter.

Two police personnel – Jiaur Rehman and Basudev Mandal - who were at the outpost were questioned by the ADCP. Later, the duo confessed to have misappropriated the jewellery. Following their confession, both were arrested. They were produced before a court which sent them to judicial custody.

“This is a clear case of protectors turning predators. I did not even open the bag which was quite heavy. I thought it would be safe to hand over the bag to the police. But if they act like this, where will the common man go for their security and safety,” said auto driver Jengo who has earned appreciation from one and all.