Bishnupur Police Constable Suspended on Extortion Charges
A police constable attached to Bishnupur district in Manipur was arrested and immediately suspended following allegations of extorting money from the public. The Bishnupur Superintendent of Police issued the suspension order and directed that the constable’s headquarters during suspension be the District Police Reserve Lines; the officer has been barred from leaving headquarters without prior permission and a departmental inquiry is being contemplated. These facts were reported by India Today NE on August 18, 2025
When a police constable is accused of extorting citizens, it’s not just another crime story — it’s a blow to the social contract. Police are meant to protect, not prey; when the line blurs, the consequences ripple far beyond the individual accused. In Manipur’s Bishnupur district, the arrest and suspension of a constable on extortion charges has already triggered departmental action and public attention. But what does this single event reveal about policing, accountability, and community safety in the region? Let’s break it down.
The timeline and official order
According to local reporting, the constable was arrested on Saturday after complaints surfaced that he had been extorting money from members of the public. In response, the Bishnupur Superintendent of Police issued an order placing him under suspension with immediate effect. The order specifies that the constable’s headquarters during suspension will be the District Police Reserve Lines (DPR Lines) in Bishnupur and that he is barred from leaving the headquarters without prior permission from the competent authority. Authorities have also stated that a departmental inquiry is being contemplated in connection with the case. These are the official contours of the action so far.
FAQs
1) Has the Bishnupur constable been convicted?
No. As of the latest reports, the constable has been arrested and suspended, and a departmental inquiry is being contemplated. Arrest and suspension are administrative and criminal steps to enable investigation; they are not convictions.
2) What does being confined to District Police Reserve Lines mean?
It means the suspended officer’s temporary headquarters during the suspension period is the DPR Lines, and he has been barred from leaving that location without prior permission — a standard administrative measure to maintain oversight during inquiries.
3) Can the officer be tried criminally and face departmental punishment?
Yes. Criminal prosecution and departmental action are distinct processes: the state can pursue both a criminal case (in court) and a departmental inquiry (administrative). Outcomes in one process do not automatically determine outcomes in the other.
4) How can citizens report suspected police extortion?
File a written complaint at the local police station and ask for an FIR if a cognisable offence occurred; use online state police grievance portals where available; approach higher police authorities or civic bodies if local responses are inadequate. Preserve evidence and witness details.
5) What reforms could reduce police extortion and misconduct?
Key reforms include time-bound departmental inquiries, better digital oversight (bodycams, GPS logs), stronger whistleblower protections, rotation policies for postings in sensitive areas, and community-facing complaint mechanisms. Implementation and political will are the hard parts.
