“With great power comes great responsibility”: Court convicts SI for bribery

A court in Delhi convicted a Delhi police sub-inspector of bribery on Thursday, adding that “with great power comes great responsibility.” Despite the fact that the proverb was popularised by Marvel’s comics and films, it became a “arduous code of conduct” for public officials, particularly police officers.

Gopal Singh, a sub-inspector at Lodhi Colony Police Station here, was found guilty by Special Judge Namrita Aggarwal, who stated that as public servants with vast powers at their disposal, police officers are expected to set a standard for society by being accessible to the public in times of need.

She stated that a person in authority must embrace power with humility and suspicion that the authority is not merited, and that it is their job to respect the dignity of people who report to them.

“Policing authority is one of the most ubiquitous organizations of the society and the most visible representative of the government. Being public servants with vast powers at their disposal, police officers are expected to set a standard for the society by being accessible to public in case of need.

“They play a vital role in the protection of Right to Life, Liberty, Security etc enshrined in the Constitution of India. Thus, the need for police accountability is made evident by the great powers that police forces wield,” the judge said.

According to the prosecution, the accused demanded a Rs 2 lakh bribe from complainant Anita in exchange for removing her and her husband’s names from a complaint filed against them in connection with a fight that he was investigating.

“It can be safely inferred that the complete chain of circumstances was established beyond reasonable doubt and without a snap, thus proving the guilt of the accused. Thus, accused Gopal Singh is convicted for offence under section 7 (bribery) of Prevention of Corruption Act,” the judge said.

According to the court, all witnesses said that the complainant herself provided the officer Rs 80,000 on January 2, 2019, after the sum was agreed upon during a chat on December 31, 2018.

On Friday, the judge will hear arguments over the length of the punishment.