ACB probe against traffic cop may open Pandora’s box

NAGPUR: The discreet inquiry by State Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) against a traffic constable, who was caught accepting money on camera under questionable circumstances from citizen, may bring out more skeletons out of the closet.
This is the second instance within a short time when the traffic department has come under ACB scanner. Around a month ago, an ugly fight had erupted between a traffic cop and another senior ACB official near Lohapul where some blows were exchanged between the two.The ACB official allegedly had a ‘voice’ recording of the traffic cop who was demanding cash from a transporter for not taking action.
It was reliably learnt that nexus between a section of traffic police and illegal transport owners and drivers’ generate more than Rs25 lakh monthly.
Intriguingly, traffic cops’ are turning a blind eye towards illegal transporters ferrying passengers in private jeeps, buses and improvised three-wheelers on different roads. These vehicles are mostly overloaded in a precarious manner contradicting the claims of city police chief SP Yadav who vows to reduce fatal accidents.
Insiders claim there are a handful black sheep in the traffic department who had made property worth crores through this well-oiled nexus that has vertical reach in the hierarchy too.
Some traffic cops, who operate in civil clothes on the pretext of being ‘writers’ to officers, are generally the ones entrusted with collecting money on behalf of section of officials. One such constable owns a few acres of land adjacent to Ring Road leading to the highway. The same constable, apart from having a four-wheeler, also owns a few acres of land behind a minister’s plot in Koradi where he is planning to develop a layout.
TOI has published the snapshot of the video clip showing the traffic constable accepting money from a citizen near Jaisthambh Square. The footage showed that though the cop had a challan book, no receipt was issued. The clip captured on a mobile phone was circulated on different social networks. TOI had also forwarded the video clip to Superintendent of police, State ACB, Rajeev Jain.
Apart from TOI, ACB is also learnt to have received a complaint through e-mail with the video attached which prompted the inquiry. The ACB are now also learnt to be trying to locate the citizens seen handing over cash to the traffic cop in the video.
Illegal transportation of passengers by unauthorized vehicles is common on Umrer Road, Katol Road, Chhindwada Road, Hingna Road, Jabalpur Road, Wardha Road, Bhandara Road and also within the city.
A section of Regional Transport Office personnel too are involved, its learnt.
Jain said he can initiate actions against erring personnel under various provisions only if there is a complaint. “ACB would require a complaint to initiate any action against malpractices,” said Jain.
CHARGES OF CORRUPT TRAFFIC COPS
UMRER ROAD
120 jeep, 50-60 autos (plying on Kuhi Road), 20-25 vans running on gas kits and travels buses for Umrer, Gadchiroli and Chandrapur: 2,000-5,000 each /month
Collection point: ‘Rahim’s office’ on Umrer Road between 1st and 20th of a month. After 20th of a month, the action shifts to some other place
HUDKESHWAR TO GANDHIBAGH
Over-crowded jeeps: 2,000 each per month
60 autorickshaws: 1,000-3,000 each per month
90 travels’ bus: 2,000 each per month
Collection point: Near Mahakalkar sabhagruha
MANEWADA TO SITABULDI
50-60 autorickshaws: Up to 3,000 each per month
RAMESHWARI TO SITABULDI
100 autorickshaws: Up to 3,000 each per month
Collection point: Near Wanjari Nagar
SITABULDI
The collection is done from transporters coming from Kamptee road, Rameshwari Road, Manewada road, MIDC, Indora, Wardha Rd and Wadi
Each auto-rickshaw driver paying up to 3,000 per month
Travels buses paying up to 5,000 each for allowing parking near Bole Petrol pump, Central Avenue, Ganeshpeth and other places