In a volte-face, after attempting to justify on Thursday why the 36 police personnel were “compelled” to accept the bribe offered to them, home minister R.R. Patil on Friday denied his comments when the Opposition strongly objected to his remarks.
Replying to the resolution on the law and order situation moved by the Opposition last week, the home minister had said, “It was unfortunate to see the police personnel accepting bribe, but we need to understand why they were compelled to do so. The salary grade of the police personnel is low and must be revised,” to which members of the Opposition took strong objection.
Senior BJP legislator Girish Bapat said that the home minister was justifying the act of bribery, which cannot be tolerated. “Does this mean that the police personnel should accept bribes as they are not getting a good pay?” Mr Bapat asked.
Mr Patil responded by saying, “I was not trying to justify the bribery episode and hence, all the 36 police personnel along with the senior police inspector were immediately suspended. My intention was to inform the House that the salary of the police force should be increased.”