- A police sub-inspector posted in Pune district who recently shot to fame after winning ₹ 1.5 crore on a fantasy sports platform.
- Somnath Zende, attached to Pimpri Chinchwad police, breached the code of conduct by participating in online gaming and then speaking to the media, the police official said.
- There is a code of conduct for each government employee, which was violated by Zende hence he was suspended and further enquiry has been set up.
- After the initial enquiry, on Wednesday, Pimpri-Chinchwad police announced that Zende has been suspended.
A police sub-inspector posted in Pune district who recently shot to fame after winning ₹ 1.5 crore on a fantasy sports platform was suspended for alleged misconduct on Wednesday, an official said.
Somnath Zende, attached to Pimpri Chinchwad police, breached the code of conduct by participating in online gaming and then speaking to the media, the police official said.
Zende did not take the necessary permission before participating in such an activity from which he was likely to earn money. Also, after winning a handsome amount, he interacted with the media in uniform without obtaining proper permission from his seniors, said officials.
There is a code of conduct for each government employee, which was violated by Zende hence he was suspended and further enquiry has been set up.
On October 10, Zende, posted at the Pimpri-Chinchwad police commissioner’s office, formed his own team during the Cricket World Cup match between England and Bangladesh and won ₹1.5 crore.
After the initial enquiry, on Wednesday, Pimpri-Chinchwad police announced that Zende has been suspended and for divisional enquiry, the case has been forwarded to Bapu Bangar, deputy commissioner of police.
The Pimpri Chinchwad police chief had asked a deputy commissioner of police-rank officials to conduct an inquiry and submit a report, he said.
Zende won the lottery through an online gaming platform and after winning a windfall prize, he gave an interview to the media. Subsequently, there were some negative reactions about the police department. He took part in such an activity and gave an interview in a police uniform. On these two counts, he has been suspended,” said the official.
Zende had said during an interview with the media that in the past couple of months he started playing the online cricket game and eventually hit the jackpot.
(With inputs from agencies)
