ISLAMABAD, June 21: The capital police chief has ordered an inquiry into alleged corruption by the OSI (orderly sub-inspector) branch of the operation wing, sources told Dawn.

The OSI branch of every police wing, headed by the SSP Islamabad, is entrusted to carry out all orders relating to transfers, postings and execute punishments like suspension and issuance of show-cause notices to the policemen.

The inquiry was ordered after some supervisory officers during a crime meeting held last Sunday complained that the working, especially investigation into pending cases, was badly affected due to massive reshuffling of police personnel.

The officers alleged that the OSI department was minting money by transferring and posting policemen from the ranks of sub-inspector to constable. Policemen involved in corruption, sluggish attitude and negligence were beneficiary of the practice as whenever the supervisory officers issued them show-cause notices and screwed them for inefficiency they got themselves transferred to another police station in connivance with the OSI branch.

During the meeting, the inspector general of police inquired about the matter from Senior Superintendent of Police Mohammad Yousuf Malik as the OSI branch of operation wing is working under his supervision. But he denied any massive reshuffling and said only 35 policemen had been transferred from one police station to another during his tenure, the sources added.

The issue was raised by Superintendent of Police Mohammad Ilyas during the meeting, which was also seconded by other supervisory officers. The SP said competent investigating officers of his zone, including eight from Kohsar police station, were transferred to other areas and he was given worthless personnel from the Tarnol and Gorla police stations by the seniorsuperintendent of police.

Over the allegation, the IGP, Bani Amin Khan, directed the complainants to furnish the name of the person behind the allegation, the sources said, adding: “but the supervisory officers seemed reluctant and hinted that the person was present in the meeting.”

Besides, the IGP was told that they would give more details and furnish the name of the person in a separate meeting, the sources said, adding later the supervisory officers met the IGP and demanded an inquiry into the alleged corruption.

The sources said Station House Officer of Kural Inspector Mehmoob Ahmed, who was trying to get himself transferred to another police station, when asked by the IGP about the reason, said: “I am fed up with the VVIP route duty.” However, the sources said, he was actually making efforts to avoid a possible punishment, including demotion, after being found guilty of quashing a murder attempt case and giving undue favour to the accused.

The sources said during the last few months over 100 policemen were transferred from one police station to another in each of the zones – city, saddar, rural and industrial area.

It was alleged that the OSI branch was getting Rs5,000 per transfer. The public relations officer of the IGP, when contacted, confirmed that the issue was discussed in the meeting. But he showed ignorance about the inquiry ordered by the IGP.

When contacted, an officer of the operation wing on condition of anonymity said transfers and postings were a routine matter in the department.