New Delhi: A police outpost in-charge in Varanasi has been suspended for alleged negligence in his duties. The action was taken after it came to light that a Mumbai-based software engineer traced her stolen mobile phone herself after it was snatched at Varanasi’s Assi Ghat. The lapse later led to the suspension of the officer in Varanasi, according to officials.
Last week, Ankita Gupta, a resident of Mumbai’s Ghatkopar area, was touring Varanasi with her family. Amid the heavy rush and crowd at Assi Ghat, an unidentified person allegedly snatched her mobile phone and vanished into the crowd. Later, Ankita filed a complaint with the police. A formal probe was launched.
She traced her phone, alerted cops
Police said Ankita, with help from her friends, traced the phone’s location. They identified a house in the Manduadih area and then sent the details to the local cops.
Acting on the tip-off, a police team carried out raid at the location, and recovered Ankita’s phone. The search also resulted in the seizure of 12 other stolen mobile phones from the premises.
After the phone was recovered, Deputy Commissioner of Police Gaurav Kumar ordered an internal probe. The investigation found negligence on the part of the in-charge of the Assi police outpost. Suspension orders were issued against the erring officer on January 4.