Pune sub-inspector who won Rs 1.5 crore in online game suspended for giving interviews, not seeking prior permission
Oct 18, 2023
Pune (Maharashtra) [India], October 18 : Somnath Zende, a Police Sub-Inspector attached to Pimpri Chinchwad Police Commissionerate of Pune district, who won Rs 1.5 crore in a cricket fantasy-related online game, has been suspended following a preliminary enquiry.
Zende had taken part in the gaming app, Dream 11 without permission.
According to the Investigating officer Assistant Police Commissioner of Pimpri Chinchwad police, Satish Mane, "PSI Somnath Zende who is attached to Pimpri Chinchwad police commissionerate had participated in online gaming and had earned some financial benefits out of it, following which he had given the interviews to some media channels. After his interview, some negative reactions had come for the police department through social media".
Satish Mane said that over these incidents, an investigation was done to check the facts and during the investigation, it was revealed that Somnath Zende had participated in online games without any prior permission. He had also given the interviews to the media channels without seeking the required permission and therefore he was suspended.
The investigating officer further alleged that Zende had violated the rules of civil code of conduct by taking parts in such games without prior permission.
"There is a different kind of perception about the police in the minds of the people and in this incident it was found that Zende has violated the rules of civil code of conduct by taking part in such games. Giving interviews to news channels without any prior permission was inappropriate therefore an enquiry was initiated against him and action was taken," ACP Satish Mane said.
The ACP also appealed police personnel not to take part in such games in the future.
Dream 11 is a fantasy sports app where users create a virtual team of real-life players and compete against other players and win real money. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has also announced a deal with Dream11 as the lead sponsor for Team India.
