Kanpur RTO: Bullet-proof vested cops raid office as drone keeps watch, 22 brokers detained

The commissioner of police and district magistrate had been receiving complaints about brokers allegedly ruling the roost at the RTO

Around 50 police personnel in bullet-proof jackets, backed by a drone flying overhead, raided the Kanpur RTO office on Monday afternoon, sealing both gates as agents scrambled to escape and police chased them across the premises.

Police at the Kanpur RTO on Monday (Sourced)

The three-hour operation led to the detention of 22 alleged agents and the recovery of ₹1 lakh in cash from challan clerk Mridul Mishra, who, officials said, could not account for the money. Another ₹15,000 was found short in the cash section where clerk Vipin Kumar was posted.

ADCP, special operations, Sujit Sudhakar Ramteke said the commissioner of police and district magistrate had been receiving complaints about brokers allegedly ruling the roost at the RTO. Following the complaints, a team was formed on Sunday and carried out the operation on Monday.

“Many irregularities have been found and these are being looked into,” Ramteke said, adding that several brokers had been caught and were being questioned.

The raid, led by Ramteke and joint magistrate Anubhav Singh, began around 1.30 pm. As the police teams entered the RTO office and Sarathi Bhawan, several agents ran for the exits, while some reportedly scaled the boundary wall to escape. Police chased and detained 22 of them, who were later taken to Kakadeo police station for questioning.

The teams searched the enforcement room, cash section and other departments, examining documents as well as laptops and computers used by officials and employees. The exercise was aimed at uncovering the alleged network of brokers operating from the RTO premises.

The action also followed a complaint from a truck driver, who alleged that an ARTO official had imposed challans for pollution, a non-functioning horn and failure to wear a seat belt. According to the complaint, he paid ₹26,700 but was issued a receipt for ₹21,700. Sadar SDM Anubhav Singh said the complaint was among the issues that prompted the administration to act.

RTO inspector Santosh Yadav was questioned separately by Ramteke in a closed room. The teams also searched records in the presence of RTO Alok Kumar and examined the computers and laptops of officials and employees.

The sudden arrival of the large police contingent also affected the area outside the RTO. Vendors operating around the office reportedly shut their shops and left as the raid began.

During the operation, police personnel also had a confrontation with an advocate on the premises.