Thirteen police personnel, including one inspector and twelve sub-inspectors, have been suspended after a Special Investigation Team (SIT) found serious irregularities in the investigation of road accident cases linked to insurance claims. The action follows findings that investigators deliberately manipulated case records, allegedly causing financial loss to insurance companies by altering key details in accident probes.
The suspended personnel are posted across three districts — Gonda, Bahraich and Shravasti. Of those suspended, two are from Gonda, two from Shravasti and nine from Bahraich. The list includes twelve officers of sub-inspector rank and one inspector-level officer.
According to the findings, the irregularities occurred during the investigation of motor accident cases in which insurance compensation claims were involved. The SIT concluded that in several instances, investigators conducted flawed and misleading probes with the alleged intent of deriving undue financial benefit, thereby harming the interests of insurance firms.
Sources said some investigators went as far as substituting the actual vehicle involved in an accident with another vehicle, and replacing the real accused with a pre-selected individual, before filing charge sheets in court. These manipulated investigations were allegedly designed to ensure favourable outcomes in insurance claims, raising serious questions about the integrity of the probe process.
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The issue surfaced after a complaint was submitted nearly a year ago by officials of ICICI Lombard General Insurance, flagging discrepancies in multiple accident-related cases. The complaint alleged that during police investigations into vehicle accidents, case diaries were being tailored to suit specific outcomes, adversely affecting insurance assessments and payouts.
The complaint was escalated to senior police authorities, following which an SIT was constituted to examine a series of accident cases across the three districts. The SIT was tasked with re-investigating cases where anomalies were suspected and assessing whether investigators had deviated from established procedures.
During the course of its inquiry, the SIT re-examined charge sheets, vehicle inspection reports, witness statements and accident site documentation. In multiple cases, the team found that earlier investigations had incorrectly identified the vehicle involved in the crash and named the wrong accused, despite evidence pointing to a different set of facts.
After conducting fresh investigations, the SIT corrected the records and submitted revised findings before the courts, naming the actual vehicles and accused persons involved in the accidents. These revised submissions contradicted the original charge sheets prepared by the suspended officers.
Based on the SIT’s findings, disciplinary action was initiated against the erring personnel, resulting in their suspension pending further departmental proceedings. Officials said the suspensions were ordered after the officers were found prima facie guilty of professional misconduct and deliberate procedural violations.
Sources indicated that the irregularities were not isolated incidents but followed a discernible pattern, suggesting coordinated malpractice rather than individual lapses. Investigators are now examining whether intermediaries, touts or external agents played a role in influencing the investigations.
The matter has raised concerns within policing circles about vulnerabilities in accident investigation processes, particularly in cases involving insurance claims, where financial incentives can distort outcomes. Officials said additional scrutiny is being applied to similar cases handled over the past few years to identify whether more flawed investigations exist.
Police authorities have indicated that further action, including departmental inquiries and potential criminal proceedings, could follow depending on the outcome of ongoing reviews. Recovery proceedings and accountability measures may also be initiated if financial losses attributable to manipulated investigations are formally established.
The case underscores growing concerns over the misuse of investigative discretion in accident cases and highlights the role of internal oversight mechanisms such as SITs in detecting and correcting systemic lapses. Authorities said steps are being taken to strengthen monitoring of accident investigations and ensure that insurance-linked cases are subjected to higher levels of verification.
About the author – Rehan Khan is a law student and legal journalist with a keen interest in cybercrime, digital fraud, and emerging technology laws. He writes on the intersection of law, cybersecurity, and online safety, focusing on developments that impact individuals and institutions in India.
