Punjab News: Entire Phagwara CIA Team Held For Taking ₹2.5 Lakh Bribe To Free Drug Smuggler

Chandigarh: In a major embarrassment to Punjab's ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government and the state police, the entire team of the Crime Investigation Agency (CIA) of the Phagwara town of Punjab’s Kapurthala district was arrested on Friday for allegedly taking a bribe of Rs 2.5 lakh to release a notorious drug smuggler, Hani.

According to information, the arrested police officials included CIA in-charge Sub-Inspector (SI) Bisman Singh Mahi, assistant sub-inspectors (ASIs) Nirmal Kumar and Jaswinder Singh and a constable Jagrup Singh.

#WATCH | Jalandhar, Punjab: DIG Jalandhar Range Naveen Singla says, "Under the campaign against drugs, there is a zero tolerance policy against corruption... It came to our notice that Phagwara CIA (Crime Investigation Agency) incharge, senior SI Bishman Sahi, ASI Jaswinder… pic.twitter.com/iMIaQfr2fS

— ANI (@ANI) May 23, 2025

According to media reports, there were several complaints against the conduct of the arrested accused police personnel following which they were under watch of the senior officials. The accused were arrested red-handed after they accepted the bribe of Rs 2.5 lakh in lieu of release of a notorious drug smuggler, Hani, who was in their custody.

Confirming the arrests, Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of police, Jalandhar range, Naveen Singla, said that the police department has zero tolerance to corruption.

In April, the Punjab police had dismissed a woman constable Amandeep Kaur, from service, who was caught with 17.71 gram heroin in Bathinda. Amandeep had caught attention with her flamboyant lifestyle as she often posted reels with her Thar on Instagram where she has over 30,000 followers.