Crackdown on corruption: CM Yogi demotes DSP to sub-inspector rank, had taken bribe for derailing probe

New Delhi: In a major crackdown on corruption and setting new benchmarks in governance, Yogi Adityanath govt has demoted a high-ranking police official to sub-inspector rank.

Vidya Kishore Sharma, the Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) rank officer has been demoted as sub-inspector after allegations of bribe-taking against him in a gangrape case was found to be true. He was accused of taking Rs 5 lakh bribe in the gangrape case and becoming a partner in crime.

Demotion of DSP Vidya Kishore Sharma was posted by UP government on Twitter.

#UPCM @myogiadityanath जी ने अनुशासनहीनता के आरोपी तत्कालीन क्षेत्राधिकारी/उपाधीक्षक, जनपद रामपुर को मूल पद पर प्रत्यावर्तित करने का निर्णय लिया है। @UPGovt @spgoyal @sanjaychapps1 pic.twitter.com/0jLcwsyBmz

— CM Office, GoUP (@CMOfficeUP) November 1, 2022

He reportedly took the bribe while being posted as DSP in Rampur district. Earlier, a video of the same had also gone viral on social media. He was subsequently suspended & sent back to police training centre.

The DSP was suspended from service in Dec 2021 and was subsequently attached to the DGP office.

2021 rape case & Rs 5 lakh bribery charge

The gangrape case in which the senior officer has been penalized is of last year. A woman had alleged that she was violated by sub-inspector Ramveer Yadav & a hospital manager Vinod Yadav. She said that she got a complaint lodged against them but police didn’t pay any heed as they had taken bribe from offenders.

The matter shot to limelight when a video of DSP Vidya Sharma with a bag of money surfaced online. It only went on to strengthen claims against him that he took bribe for botching up the probe. It was claimed that the bag contained Rs 5 lakh.

After the video created wide uproar, both the accused were booked & FIR lodged. DSP Vidya Sharma was suspended.

A case of corruption was also lodged against him in the Central Vigilance Commission by an RTI activist Danish Khan.

A detailed investigation was launched against the DSP. He was later found guilty of the offence.

The exemplary action makes the police officer junior by at least 8-10 years. Reports suggest that he will have to work for about a decade to get elevated to the CO rank.