Disgraced DySP Singh lived life kingsize in Jammu and Kashmir

Srinagar: Disgraced Deputy Superintendent of Police (DySP) Davender Singh had a lavish lifestyle in Jammu and Kashmir.

Known for alleged extortion and bribery, Singh is constructing one of the plush bungalows in Srinagar’s upmarket Indira Nagar locality. Spread over around a kanal of land, the three-storied building was set to become his residence after its completion.

The area comes under the control of Badami Bagh Cantonment area, which, incidentally, houses Army’s 15 corps headquarters. Considered a highly secured area, Indira Nagar is a posh locality and commands exorbitant land cost. Recently, the Cantonment Board had sent notices to households for payment of property tax.

A resident of Burhan Wani’s hometown of Tral, Singh was first working as a government teacher. Later he quit his job to join police as sub-inspector in early nineties. Soon after his posting, he seized narcotics but did not mention it in his reports. He was suspended but eventually reinstated.

Father of two kids, his eldest daughter is pursuing MBBS in Bangladesh. His son is studying in a reputed school at Srinagar. Sources said he has acquired huge property in Jammu as well. Investigating agencies are now looking into his bank accounts and other properties to find out the extent of corrupt deeds.

Singh, who was posted in the anti-hijacking wing at Srinagar Airport, was arrested along with Hizbul commander Naveed Babu and Altaf when they were travelling in a car from Shopian district of South Kashmir on Saturday. Police sources said Singh was trying to drive the Hizbul commanders out of the valley. Two AK-47 rifles were recovered in a subsequent raid at Singh’s house in Srinagar.

The arrested militants have told the investigators that he had charged Rs 12 lakh to take them out of the valley safely. So far, it has been established that he has been hiding militants in his home and even couriering their weapons, for materialistic gains. Sources said he was allegedly extorting money from motorists when he was posted in traffic police department.

“DySPs arrest has brought disrepute to the force and consequently the Sher-e-Kashmir police medal awarded to him on August 14, 2018 is hereby forfeited”, said Shaleen Kabra, Principal Secretary, Home Department, in his order.

Under pressure, Jammu and Kashmir police has now decided to probe the role of Singh in 2001 Parliament attack. “If anything comes out during investigation about his involvement (in the Parliament attack), it will be looked into”, said Dilbag Singh, Director General of Police, Jammu and Kashmir.

Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru, who has been executed, had exposed his role in the entire conspiracy but that was largely ignored. In his letters from jail, Guru had written that Singh was the person who handed over Mohammad, one of the four slain in Parliament attack, to him. Guru was allegedly asked to arrange logistics, including safe house and transport for the attackers in New Delhi in 2001.