From shootouts to smuggling, this police informer has seen it all. But now when he wants to quit, he just can't find a way out
From shootouts to smuggling, this police informer has seen it all. But now when he wants to quit, he just can't find a way out
Being a police informer may be adventurous, but it comes at a price, as Prakash Kamath (name changed) will testify.
For nearly a decade, this 45-year-old has been tipping off the Mumbai police about drug deals, counterfeit notes racket and gang wars.
But now that he wants to end it all, it's not easy. After having tied the knot in 2003, the father of two now wants to lead a normal life.
"There's no steady income, no job guarantee or any kind of insurance benefits provided by the police.
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When I leave my home for a mission, I don't know if I will return," he said.
"I want to start afresh; be a good father and a husband," he added.
Turning point
An economics graduate, Prakash came to Mumbai from Bangalore after his father's death in 1983 and worked at a dance bar in Colaba, which was a hub of illegal activities.
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Here he assisted gangsters who smuggled in gold and silver. "I became familiar with secret trading places in the city and played mediator between parties," said Prakash.
But after the 1993 blasts, most smugglers went underground. Fearing arrest, he decided to switch sides.
First tip-off
After donning a new role of an informer, Prakash helped bust a drug racket. "Drugs were traded rampantly in the black market then.
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My first tip-off was about drug dealers Sikandar and Nadir Shah, who were Dawood's henchmen.
A heroin deal worth Rs 1.2 lakh was about to take place, when I helped the cops catch them red handed. My first reward was Rs 50,000," said Kamath.
This was just the beginning. Prakash's information also led to the encounter of a Pappu Kalani aide.
He informed the police about the killing of Gopal Rajwani at an Ulhasnagar court in 2000 and also helped nab a Nigerian cocaine dealer in Andheri in 1995.
Poor pay
However, with the adventures came compromises. Prakash said, "For 10 years, I haven't socialised or attended any gathering. I could not think of marriage because I was often threatened to be kidnapped or killed."
Prakash last assisted the Mumbai police in 2008, where he helped them crack a fake notes racket in Kerala. For this he received a 'reward' of Rs 10,000.
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"How can I support a family of four with such a measly income? Moreover, the nature of my job is making it difficult for me to take up a different career. I'm hoping to find a job in the hotel industry, where I started."
Top cop says...
Though the police appreciate the efforts of informers, there's little they can do to help. Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime) Rakesh Maria, said, "Kamath helped us during a fake notes racket case that was unearthed recently.
It's unfortunate that even though informers play such an important role, it's not easy to take care of all of them because there are thousands in the city."
"Police informers like Kamath are paid from the secret money fund of the Mumbai police. It depends on the cop how to utilise the funds among his informers.
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Nobody can ever secure an informer's life; all we can do is reward them for their help," added Maria.
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