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| NEWS > 28 February 2007 |
Other related articles:
Stephen Lawrence police vent f
The integrity of the BBC was again called into question last night after allegations of police corruption in a documentary about the murder of Stephen Lawrence proved unfounded.
Independent police watchdogs have found no evidence to substantiate claims in the BBC1 programme The Boys Who Killed Stephen Lawrence that a detective took a bribe to shield the black teenager's killers from justice.
And Scotland Yard Assistant Commissioner John Yates – accused in the programme of being party to the cover-up – was said to be 'bloody furious' with the BBC after being exonerated b... Read more
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The News - International - Pak
28 February 2007
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DSP transfer controversy
KARACHI: The sudden transfer of Superintendent of Police Tariq Bajwa from the Driving License Branch, Karachi by the Sindh Government has caused a major upset within the police department. Bajwa, who was appointed as the head of the Driving License Branch, Karachi after the IGP Sindh raid last September led to the suspension of the previous DSP, had won much praise during his five month tenure. Operations and raids against corrupt driving and MVI officials and policemen recently led to the busting of a fake documents ring, the seizure of thousands of fake documents and the arrest of several officials, including a Sub-Inspector of Police. However Bajwa has now found himself transferred from his post amidst accusations of corruption. However many are asking how a corrupt policeman would have been recently awarded a good performance shield from the National Accountability Bureau and why, if corrupt, he would have taken such action against officers around him.
Bajwa was appointed last September after the IGP Sindh Mr Jehangir Mirza had carried out a surprise raid at the Driving Licenses Branch, Karachi. Complaints had been received concerning allegations of corruption and harassment towards those applying for driving licenses. Officials were accused of issuing licenses through special agents without the need for a physical examination and after having taken a bribe. The raid led to the transfer of the SP and the suspension of DSP. In choosing Tariq Bajwa, who was assigned to the National Accountability Bureau at the time, to head the SP Driving License the IGP Sindh choose to overlook personnel from the Sindh Police department.
Tariq Bajwa, after taking charge on September 28, 2006 reviewed the previous records of those staff accused of involvement in malpractice yet who were still at the DL branch. These officials were transferred and new staff brought in. Directives were given that should any of the police personnel posted at driving license branches in Clifton, Nazimabad and Korangi be found to be involved in corruption or malpractice, they would be subject to strict action. Bajwa also ordered staff posted at the DL to bar all agents from the premises of the license branch.
Bajwa is reported to have met with people applying for driving licenses and told them that under no circumstances should they pay a bribe to agents of official personnel. He asked people to inform him personally if staff or agents tried to ask for a bribe, so that he could take action against those involved. He also told applicants that if they faced any problems in getting their driving license that they should go to him for guidance, and again he stressed that they should not pay bribes.
After taking charge Bajwa and his staff made a list of corrupt officials and those who had contacts with agents. A report was submitted to the CPO asking for their transfer, as well as that proceedings be launched against them. However despite his investigation and subsequent report, the officials listed are still working at the branch and the inquiry is pending.
During his tenure agents were ordered from the premises of the driving license offices, and staff were given orders to arrest and charge any found entering the premises of the offices.
Bajwa also took notice of reports coming to him that certain officials were involved in making and issuing fake driving licenses, several officers were put under personnel surveillance which was carried out by Bajwa’s personal staff. During the surveillance Sub-Inspector Sajid Awan of the Head Quarters and other police officials were found to be involved in the making and selling of fake driving licenses. The complete report and surveillance evidence was submitted to the IGP Sindh.
The IGP Sindh called the senior officials of the Investigation Police and ordered arrest of all those involved, and for those named in the report to be arrested. A raid on the residence of Sub-Inspector Sajid Awan in Civil Lines police quarters led to the discovery of thousands of fake documents, including computerised driving licenses, fake Inter, Matric and Karachi University certificates, letter heads of various government departments, fake stamps of various departments. Awan was arrested at the time of the raid.
Following this incident, reports of corruption at the Motor Vehicle and Inspection Branch in Baldia began to surface. A surprise inspection was carried out and no staff was found to be present at the branch in the early morning. Many of those present there for fitness certificates accused staff of corruption. The SP sent an inquiry report to the DIG of Traffic for action and transferred personnel from the branch with immediate effect. However the officials concerned were still on duty at the MVI Branch.
The raid on the Baldia branch led to widespread allegations of corruption and bribery being made. On arriving at the branch office Bajwa interviewed some of the approximately 1000 rickshaw drivers waiting for their fitness certificates. One man said he had already paid Rs 400 for a ten rupee certificate. A similar story was heard from the truck, bus, mini-bus and taxi drivers at the office. Most said that they had had to pay bribes between Rs 800 - 2000 for their vehicle fitness certificates. Returning to his office after 10 am he noted that no officers had arrived for work. Returning to his office he made an inquiry report of corruption against eight officials at the MVI Branch and moved that the DIG of Traffic take action and transfer them with immediate effect. He added that he conducted the raid on the orders of the IGP of Sindh, and that similar raids would be carried out on the MVI Hyderabad and Sukkur as well.
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