NPN

New Delhi: An FIR has been filed against former Delhi Police Commissioner Neeraj Kumar and his former subordinate, Vinod Pandey, in a case dating back more than 20 years. The Delhi Police Crime Branch filed the case on Wednesday, following the Supreme Court's directive. The case involves charges of tampering with documents and criminal intimidation. The case relates to an incident in 2001, when Neeraj Kumar served as Joint Director in the CBI and Vinod Pandey as Inspector in the central agency. Both former officers are accused of tampering with documents during an investigation. In 2006, the Delhi High Court ordered the registration of two separate cases against the two officers. This was challenged in the Supreme Court. The accused officers filed four petitions seeking a stay on the legal proceedings against them and the registration of the FIR. The Supreme Court upheld the Delhi High Court's decision, stating that serious allegations were not investigated for two decades, representing a travesty of justice. Following this, a case was filed against the two on September 10. What are the charges against the officers? Following the Supreme Court's direction, the Delhi Crime Branch registered a case against Neeraj Kumar and Vinod Pandey. The charges include alleged tampering of evidence, abuse of position, and intimidation during a CBI investigation into businessman Vijay Kumar Agarwal and his associates from 1999 to 2000. FIR No. 281: Forgery and Document Tampering FIR No. 281, filed by Vijay Kumar Agarwal's accountant, Shesh Ram Saini, alleges that during a raid on his Naraina office in 1999-2000, Vinod Kumar Pandey and others seized company records without any legal documents. It claims that the officials later forged seizure memos, altered dates, and manipulated government records, forcing Shesh Ram Saini to sign the fraudulent documents under pressure. FIR No. 281 alleges charges under sections 166, 218, 463, 465, 469, and 120B of the Indian Penal Code, including abuse of official position, falsification of records, forgery, and criminal conspiracy. FIR No. 282: Threats, Abuse, and Wrongful Confinement FIR No. 282, filed by Vijay Kumar Agarwal, relates to an incident in 2001. Neeraj Kumar and Vinod Pandey allegedly threatened, abused, and pressured him at the CBI office to ensure his brother withdrew the legal case filed against them. Vijay Kumar Agarwal claims he was wrongfully confined and subjected to force. His attempt to file a complaint at the Lodhi Colony police station was allegedly rejected, prompting him to approach the Delhi High Court. The FIR lists offenses under sections 166, 341, 342, and 506 of the Indian Penal Code, which relate to abuse of power, wrongful confinement, and criminal intimidation. Supreme Court orders independent investigation The Supreme Court upheld the Delhi High Court's direction for criminal contempt proceedings and ordered an investigation by an ACP-level officer of the Delhi Police. If custodial interrogation is deemed necessary, the officer will have the authority to arrest the accused. The Supreme Court stated that the alleged abuse, coercion, and use of abusive language to force Vijay Aggarwal to withdraw his brother's complaint constitute serious professional misconduct and prima facie evidence of cognizable offenses. Current Status of Investigation The Delhi Crime Branch has now formally taken over the investigation of both cases. The accused have been directed to join the investigation and cooperate with the investigating officer. If they do so regularly, the court has barred any coercive action, including arrest, unless custodial interrogation is necessary at any stage. The proceedings mark the reopening of one of Delhi's most controversial and long-pending cases of alleged corruption and abuse of power within the country's premier investigating agency.