Patna: A total of 36 Patna police constables have been dismissed from service for remaining absent from duty for over a year or so. In addition, 69 police personnel have been issued notices again, asking them to reassume duty within 15 days or else the process of terminating their services would start.

The disciplinary action against the cops was initiated by deputy inspector-general of police (DIG), central range, Rajesh Kumar, who had found around 200 policemen absent from their duty during a surprise inspection of the Patna police lines on February 22 this year.

Deputy superintendent of police (DSP), police lines, Mohammad Masleuddin said that the services of 36 personnel were terminated after they refused to resume duty even after several notices issued to them earlier.

"A few of them put in their papers citing various reasons," he said.

The DSP said that after getting instructions from the DIG concerned, departmental proceedings would be initiated against 52 "absconding" cops who have reported back to duty. He added that the salary of all the 200 absconding policemen was stopped with immediate effect on DIG Rajesh's directive soon after February 22.

The surprise inspection had made many cupboards tumble out of the force's cupboard. Authoritative sources in the police lines said that the two cops were serving the department on forged letters.

"The senior officials are trying to suppress the matter as the cops in question would not have assumed duty without their approval," said a source. DSP Masleuddin confirmed that "the credentials of two of the absentee cops are being verified".

A senior Indian Police Service (IPS) officer said the 52 cops who returned to the police lines after being served notices would face departmental proceedings. "If found guilty, their services will be terminated," the officer said.

The officer, however, hastened to add that if the conducting officer would be satisfied with the reason for their overstay, they could be inducted in the force again. Till that time, they won't get their salary.

The disciplinary action initiated against the cops has created a flutter in police circles.

DIG Rajesh told The Telegraph that he inspected the police lines after he received complaints.

"I was informed of such a situation and so I visited Patna police lines for a thorough inspection. I found that nearly 200 policemen, including some officers, have been staying away from duty without any authorisation for more than a year," Rajesh had said.

He had sought a detailed report from the sergeant major on the faux pass as it was the sergeant major's responsibility to keep track of police constables at work.

Bihar has one of the lowest police-population ratios in the country. As per data from the Bureau of Police Research and Development, Bihar currently has one policemen for every 839 persons, up from 1,250 in 2010.