35 Mumbai traffic cops transferred in biggest-ever disciplinary action

In an unprecedented move, Mumbai police commissioner Rakesh Maria transferred 35 officers attached with the Mumbai traffic police to the local arms division of the force for ‘non-performance’ on Tuesday.

In an unprecedented move, Mumbai police commissioner Rakesh Maria transferred 35 officers attached with the Mumbai traffic police to the local arms division of the force for ‘non-performance’ on Tuesday. This has been the biggest-ever disciplinary action taken in recent years by a Mumbai police commissioner. It comes at a time when Maria called for a crackdown on errant officers in the force.

The last time such serious disciplinary action was taken was in April 2013 when 36 police officers from Nehru Nagar police were suspended after they were caught in a sting operation accepting money to permit an illegal structure in Chembur.

The transfers come within a fortnight after Milind Bharambe took charge as the joint commissioner of police (Traffic), and was asked to submit a report on the allegations made by constable Sunil Toke against senior police officials with the traffic department. Toke, who had also written to the chief minister, alleged the officers harassed him for his refusal to accept bribes. This prompted an inquiry into the allegations.

Bharambe, who conducted the probe, made a list of officers who were not performing, said police sources. He recommended transfers to ‘speed up enforcement duties’ by traffic policemen. “The officers have been transferred because of non-performance,” Bharambe said.