Kanpur, 04 Nov (HS): Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP)

Rishikant Shukla has been suspended following the launch of a vigilance

investigation following a SIT probe that found suspected undeclared assets

worth approximately Rs 100 crore, authorities announced on Tuesday. Shukla was

suspended on Monday after SIT findings revealed at least 12 properties linked

to his PAN card, valued at approximately Rs 92 crore, as well as additional

properties that have yet to be documented, bringing the total value to Rs 100

crore or more, according to a senior police official. According to the SIT

investigation, Shukla was in constant contact with advocate-turned-gangster

Akhilesh Dubey, who is suspected of conducting a racket involving bogus cases,

extortion, and land grabbing throughout his stint in Kanpur from 1998 to 2009.

Rishikant Shukla was a Circle Officer (Bhogaon) in Manpuri

district when his name surfaced in connection with an extortion ring. According to the then-Commissioner of Police's

statement, Shukla exploited his official position and network -- which included

family and acquaintances -- to conceal assets in the names of relatives and

others. These buildings featured eleven

stores in the exclusive Aryanagar neighborhood.

Ashutosh Kumar, Joint CP

(Law and Order), acknowledged the suspension and the formal launch of a

comprehensive vigilance probe against the suspended DSP. He stated that the case has been referred to

the Director General of Police's headquarters for further departmental action. Jagdish, the Secretary of Home, wrote to the

Principal Secretary (Vigilance) on Monday to order a comprehensive inquiry and

to transfer the case to the state's DGP headquarters for further departmental

action, according to the letter.

Hindusthan Samachar / Abhishek Awasthi