“Best Remarks Given By SP To Cop Who Was Caught Accepting ₹1k Bribe”: P&H High Court Asks DGP To Probe

In a case that has raised questions about internal accountability in the police force, the Punjab and Haryana High Court has pulled up senior official (SP) over a viral video showing a Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) accepting a ₹1,000 bribe. Despite the incident, the constable received "best possible remarks" in his Annual Confidential Report (ACR) and no FIR was lodged.Justice Jagmohan Bansal perusing the records said, "A conspectus of afore-stated documents demonstrates the way and manner in which a subordinate who was caught on social media accepting bribe has been dealt with. No FIR was registered despite video of accepting bribe and minuscule punishment was awarded. The best possible remarks were recorded in the ACR. As per Rule 16.28 of Punjab Police Rules, 1934 (as applicable to State of Haryana), the higher authorities could review order passed by jurisdictional Superintendent of Police."The plea was filed seeking setting aside of order dated 20.08.2025 whereby respondent has downgraded his Annual Confidential Report ('ACR') for the period from 01.04.2020 to 18.12.2020 on the basis of punishment of censure awarded vide order dated 10.10.2020.Petitioner-Bijender Singh was seen in video accepting ₹1,000 from a lady went viral which led to initiation of departmental proceedings against him. In the departmental proceedings, it was established that petitioner had accepted ₹1,000 from a lady who was a pillion rider of a two wheeler vehicle. The said vehicle was driven by a 10-11 years old boy. He was not wearing helmet. The petitioner was found guilty of the alleged misconduct. It was alleged that he accepted his mistake and apologized stating that he had released the vehicle by giving warning and returned ₹1,000 on the asking of Station House Officer. The Disciplinary Authority vide order dated 10.10.2020, despite holding petitioner guilty of alleged offence, did not award proportionate penalty and disposed of proceedings by imposing punishment of censure.Perusing the punishment order, the Court noted that, "despite finding the petitioner guilty of accepting bribe of ₹1,000/- from a lady, the Disciplinary Authority awarded minuscule punishment i.e. censure. The same officer in petitioner's ACR for the period from April' 2020 to December' 2020 declared him honest and reliable officer."Hence, the Court directed the DGP Haryana to look into the act and conduct of Superintendent of Police who passed afore- stated order and recorded ACR of the petitioner and file his response before the adjourned date (October 14).Mr. Aditya Yadav, Advocate for the petitionerMr. Ashok Kumar Khubbar, Additional Advocate General, HaryanaTitle: BIJENDER SINGH v. STATE OF HARYANA AND OTHERSClick here to read order

“Best Remarks Given By SP To Cop Who Was Caught Accepting ₹1k Bribe”: P&H High Court Asks DGP To Probe

Aiman J. Chishti

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