Its a standard tactic among police in India with regards to any crime/criminal.

Its very common for them to work for the the criminals. I remember a few years back there was an anti-corruption raid on a police inspectors home(in Koramangala, Bangalore) and in the gold jewelry recovered many residents complained it was the same jewelry stolen from their home a few years back. In short, the police helped the thieves to steal(provide information, logistical support and guard the home while the thief is stealing) and shared the spoils :) :)

Here is one more such case: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bengaluru/police-he...

Recently there was a journalist whose scooter was stolen by the cops and was caught on CCTV.

In these cases the cops would have been paid off, its only when the crime becomes intolerable and larger media attention catches on do they act per law. Some times they even pay off the judges in lower courts.