CHANDIGARH: In Punjab where prosperity and corruption grow together, the extent to which a person is corrupt is often measured by his or her rank and social status. SS Virk, former Punjab DGP -- a 1970 batch IPS officer of Maharashtra cadre -- represents the same class. His case is classic example of Police-criminal-politician nexus going strong in Punjab and other parts of India.
 

Further, he has played an extra innings by buying and selling properties allegedly with the help of former terrorists against whom he should have fought. He in fact deserves no liniency so that policemen in uniform should understand their duties towards society.
 
Virk was arrested by the Punjab Vigilance Bureau on September 9 from Maharashtra Bhawan in New Delhi. He was charged under Sections 168, 169 (doing business while in service), 216, 218 and 120-B (for harbouring a person wanted by law, providing him with a fake identity on the basis of false records to screen him from law) and Sections 7, 13(1)(d)(e) read with 13(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act.
 
Interestingly, Virk has accused the Vigilance Bureau of political vendetta. In fact, the documents and personal diaries seized from Virk have made startling revelations about his triple role of a super cop, property dealer and political advisor to the Congress. His notes have raised a political storm with former Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh coming openly in his support. Virk had reportedly drafted a strategy to bring the Congress back in power in the State. However, he was transferred by the Election Commission two weeks before the Assembly election.
 
Fingers were raised at Virk even when he was serving in Punjab. Virk has himself admitted that he had rehabilitated about 300 Sikh terrorists who had helped police eliminate militancy. These terrorists were shown dead in police records and were given new identities. Virk is now accused of using these terrorists for land grabbing and extortion. He is accused of grabbing the prime land of a war widow with the help of a property dealer and Congress leader Vijaypal Singh Dimpy and former terrorist Sukhwinder Singh Sukhi and extorting Rs 80 lakh from an NRI with the help of former terrorists Sukhi and Pinki (now jailed in a murder case).
 
Virk's family laments that he fought against militants in the national interest and now he is being victimised. Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal has responded, saying, "Which national interest did he serve by grabbing the land of a war widow?" Badal had suspended Virk immediately after taking over as the Punjab CM.
 
Punjab Police was not comfortable under Virk. This is evident from the reaction of the IPS Officer's Association, which has not lodged any protest against Virks' arrest though he had served in Punjab for 20 long years in different positions. Virk served as Punjab DGP and DIG in CRPF. He became IG and then ADGP (intelligence) subsequently.
 
Now, after the Congress has finally decided to appoint Rajinder Kaur Bhattal as the president of PPCC, the Vigilance Bureau is prepared to nail the former DGP; he is expected to be taken on police remand. He is admitted in PGI under judicial custody because the Vigilance Bureau has not demanded his remand, fearing a political fallout in case Amarinder Singh regains his position at the helm in Punjab Congress.
 
Virk was awarded Padmashri for fighting against terrorism. He has threatened to return the award. Wouldn't it be appropriate to snatch the award, if charges against him are proved right?