Cop pays, 8 years late

MUMBAI, February 15: A police constable was sentenced to three-and-half-year imprisonment eight years after he was caught taking bribe from a college student by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB). Special sessions judge Mridula Bhatkar passed the order on Friday. The sentence for Ramdas Toke attached to Gamdevi police station comprised one year of rigorous imprisonment and a fine of Rs 3000 for accepting bribe; two years of imprisonment and a fine of Rs 3000 for both demanding and accepting a bribe; and six months of imprisonment for charges of assault. Three other constables facing bribery charges were, however, acquitted.

On August 12, 1990, the car carrying Bhupendra Rathod and his friends accidentally hit four cycles belonging to police constables of the Gamdevi police station while trying to avoid a ditch near Cadbury House, Mahalaxmi.Though the youth halted their vehicle to apologise, the constables including Toke assaulted them with sticks till one student became unconscious. On their way to Gamdevipolice station Toke offered not to file case if he was paid Rs 3,500. Since the students had only Rs 750 with them, they promised to pay the sum later. Bhupendra approached the ACB and a trap was laid at the New Hindu Hotel where the engineering student handed over Rs 2,800. ACB sleuths arrested Toke while accepting money. The case trial began only last month and eight witnesses were examined by special public prosecutor Manohar Kandalkar. Three constables who assaulted the students were acquitted, since no identification parade was conducted.