Special Squad or Bribe Squad?

Squad established to conduct raids at Mulund octroi check posts to be scrapped; investigations reveal bribes were taken in collusion with touts

After news surfaced that touts were extorting money from unsuspecting transporters at octroi check posts claiming to be officers of the special squad of the Deputy Commissioner's office, the Mumbai police have decided to dismantle the squad.

The corrupt activities came to the fore when the Maharashtra Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) arrested two persons who were extorting money from a transporter at the Mulund octroi check post in December last year.
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The duo demanded a bribe of Rs 70,000 to let the truck pass when a team of ACB sleuths caught them red-handed.

During investigation it was revealed that the duo, who was arrested had some links with the DCP's office and were demanding bribes in connivance with a couple of other officers.

In a confidential report submitted to senior authorities of the Mumbai police the ACB recommended that the special squad be dismantled as it was fuellingcorrupt activities.
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"Acting on the recommendation, we have dismantled the special squads in all zonal offices," confirmed Ritesh Kumar, additional commissioner of police, (east region).

Senior officials from the ACB said that the special squad was created to conduct raids.

However, a few policemen conspired with a group of touts and began extorting money from transporters. The policemen, said sources, also got a heavy commission on the bribe amount collected.

ACB officials said the number of complaints from transporters had also increased in the last few months and heavy bribes were demanded to overlook violations by truck drivers.

A report has been submitted to the RTO to look into the matter, as it appears that a large-scale racket is being run. Bogus octroi invoices and cost mistakes in the documents have also come to the fore.