A case was finally lodged against three policemen, including a sub-inspector of police, Dinesh Kumar, for allegedly stealing a little over 85kg silver seized from the possession of two Rohtas traders.

The case had been lodged against the policemen deployed at Sasaram town police station on the instruction of deputy inspector-general (Shahabad range), Mohammed Rahman, after a detailed investigation.

Apart from Dinesh, two constables - Mritunjay Kumar and Shamsher Alam - have also been made accused in the FIR.

The case was instituted on the statement of Dinesh Kumar Singh, a sub-inspector of police, alleging that the three policemen, along with a private driver, Santosh Kumar, visited the Sasaram railway station on May 27 and took traders - Jitendra Kumar and his brother Pintu Kumar - into custody.

The two brothers were later taken to the police station and sent to jail on the charge of smuggling silver. The seizure list submitted to the court, however, showed that only 65kg of silver was recovered from the possession of the jewellers.

Contrary to police claims, the victims' relative, Dharmendra Kumar, submitted a petition to the DIG concerned, demanding a detailed investigation. The probe found the allegations against the men in uniform to be true.

"The two brothers have been absolved of the charge," DIG Rahman told The Telegraph.

The station house officer of Sasaram town police station Pawan Kumar said that the cops - Dinesh Kumar, Mritunjay and Shamsher Alam - have been made accused under sections 379 (theft), 409 (criminal breach of trust by public servant) and 34 (common intension) of the Indian Penal Code.

He didn't rule out the possibility of the arrest of the three personnel.

"We are waiting for the instructions of my seniors," the SHO added.

Earlier, a delegation of the local businessmen had called on the DIG and urged him to provide justice to the jewellers, who were put behind bars on false charges.

The two brothers were released from Sasaram divisional jail on bail after 18 days of their judicial custody.

Meanwhile, the state police headquarters has directed the officials of the criminal investigation department to conduct a detailed investigation into the matter.

"The charges against the police personnel are of serious nature. If the charges are proved, the cops in question may be terminated from their service," a senior police officer said.

The officer said that such police personnel earned a bad name for the department. "They are the black sheep within the police force," he added.

Earlier, the police headquarters had asked the DIG of Shahbad range to conduct a detailed probe into the matter and initiate action against the erring cops.