Jammu, Feb 25: Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary on Wednesday robustly defended his brother and JKP Inspector Vijay Singh Choudhary by describing “raids of Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) and registration of case against him (Vijay) under disproportionate assets case -result of Police’s internal rivalry.”
He alleged that the ACB steps were aimed at scuttling his (Vijay’s) promotional prospects.
“I will also request the Lieutenant Governor to identify such Police officers, who try to demoralise officers/officials who perform duty with dedication and take action against them,” Surinder Choudhary said, while responding to media queries after inspecting the riverbed area near the 4th Tawi bridge.
Earlier, J&K Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) on Wednesday conducted searches on the residential and business properties of Vijay Singh Choudhary, an Inspector of Jammu and Kashmir Police (JKP) in Jammu, Rajouri and other places, following the registration of the disproportionate assets case against him.
Vijay Singh Choudhary is the brother of J&K Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary.
“He (Vijay) is an officer, who valiantly fought against terrorists at Gursai in Mendhar; he performed duties at Surankote – when the militancy was at its peak and no officer would prefer to go there and later at Thannamandi. During his duties at different places in Chenab valley, including Doda, he bravely confronted terrorists. He was the one who faced a terrorist attack at Supwal Chowki. It was Vijay Singh Choudhary only who ensured the opening of the Police Post/Chowki at Chatha, where the officers would dread to visit even during the daytime,” Deputy Chief Minister said, while responding to media queries about the ACB raids and registration of case against JKP Inspector.
Surinder Choudhary continued his momentum as he said, “This was unfortunate that a Police officer, whose entire service career was marked by valiant acts, did not get any award from the department so far in his (professional) life for tackling crime and terrorism head on. Instead, his promotion was stopped. His entire batch was promoted to DySP rank. Today attempts are being made to stop his promotion as DySP. The (Police) officers, who during the peak of militancy would fear to come out of the confines of their rooms, are presently holding the chairs (high posts), on the basis of manipulation.”
He alleged, “Those Police officers are under the impression that they’ve attained supreme power. But I want to tell them that my family is a worshipper of Mata Vaishno Devi. I come from the family that belongs to the village of Sant Baba Sundar Singh Ali Begh Wale in Nonial. I come from a soldier family. He worked very hard and we created whatever we have at present, brick by brick through hard work and perseverance.”
In the same breath, Surinder Choudhary, referred to the case of a peon in Nowshera, who, he (DyCM) alleged, was owning four (stone) crushers.
“However, is it a sin if the married son of Vijay Singh – Surinder Choudhary’s brother – has established a crusher – just one in his (Vijay’s) entire service career? I’m Deputy Chief Minister, my children, too, are young. They have returned after completing their studies. I’ll also find some employment for them. Will it be a sin?” Deputy Chief Minister questioned.
He said it (raid, and registration of case) was very unfortunate. “It would only demoralise the hard working and performing officers. There are many officers in J&K, who hold the chair yet don’t work. Accusations were levelled against Vijay Singh Choudhary as he was performing on the ground. Those who work and deliver on the ground, obviously their enemies out of vendetta level allegations against them. I was expecting that Vijay Singh Chowdhary would be awarded and promoted for his exemplary work. But what is happening here?” he raised a question over ACB action.
Surinder Choudhary further alleged, “In fact, it is happening to scuttle his promotion prospects by few officers of JKP. Though I always commend JKP for valiantly fighting against the terrorism. But those who never worked were holding the prime postings at present. But they should remember- time will change. We will remember their actions. But rest assured, they would not damage our family or its reputation. So this (raids) is just a drama and it will go on throughout the day.”
“Had we accumulated so much wealth, we, too, would have constructed a house in a posh colony like Gandhi Nagar, Trikuta Nagar, Chhanni Himmat or Sainik Colony. We would not have been living in a place where even a vehicle cannot enter,” Deputy Chief Minister said.
Does he consider it as a politically motivated move? In response to this question, Surinder Choudhary said, “I will not say it, at this moment. I’ll only say – it is an act of internal rivalry of Police, which always caused damage to the JKP. I’ll ask LG Sahib to identify such officers.”
