Extortion on roads: SP (T) suspends 5

A TRAFFIC sub-inspector was among five cops suspended on Sunday for indulging in extortion from truck drivers in Cantonment police circle. Report against five has been registered on the initiative of superintendent of police, Traffic (SP-T) Omkar Singh.

A TRAFFIC sub-inspector was among five cops suspended on Sunday for indulging in extortion from truck drivers in Cantonment police circle. Report against five has been registered on the initiative of superintendent of police, Traffic (SP-T) Omkar Singh.

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Singh, who had been receiving complaints of extortion by cops, decided to check out the ground realities himself on Saturday night. Around 11.15 pm, Singh reached Cantonment crossing where he saw some cops extorting money from a truck driver. The cops were stunned to see Singh. The SP (traffic) immediately ordered suspension of the cops, including SI (traffic) Senjit Singh. Though the drive against extortion by cops from truck drivers who move late in the night is nothing new. The difference was the manner in which a senior cop decided to do a reality check.

During Rajnath Singh’s Chief Ministership, much hype was created after the CM himself announced that extortions by cops would be checked. However, after the initial excitement, the situation remained the same.

“Such extortions can be spotted virtually anywhere in the city after 10 pm. That’s the time when heavy vehicles are allowed inside the city and cops specially those on mobile duty are the ones who normally are the most guilty,” said a senior cop adding, “it would take a concerted effort to campaign to put an end to the malaise.”