After mid-day expose, the Mumbai Police top brass has now ordered a probe against the police personnel caught on camera
On Saturday, mid-day revisited the spot to find that a new team of cops had been deployed to man the spot. Pic/Nimesh Dave
A day after mid-day, in its cover page expose, showed how Mumbai Traffic Police officers were collecting bribes using QR codes of street hawkers, senior police officials on Saturday said that an in-depth inquiry had been ordered into the matter.
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In a three day investigation, the results of which were published on Friday, mid-day had revealed how Traffic Police personnel deployed at the LR Road signal outside Borivili station were directing errant motorists to pay bribes by scanning QR codes of hawkers.
On Saturday, when mid-day visited the spot, Police Sub Inspector Dulam and the female constables deployed with him — who were caught on camera on Friday—were nowhere to be seen, with a new team manning the spot. An officer who was part of the team said that the earlier team had been deployed to another spot.
“We are conducting an inquiry into the incident, and I expect to receive the report by Monday or Tuesday. Action will be taken accordingly,” said Joint Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Pravin Padwal.
Senior Police Inspector Vikas Lokare, Borivali Traffic Division added, “We have initiated an in-depth inquiry into PSI Dulam and the other constables deployed at this spot. We are also recording their statements and are in the process of identifying the hawkers involved. We will take appropriate action after the investigation is complete.”
On Friday, a mid-day reporter purposely violated a rule by entering the lane at the signal, meant only for BEST buses on his two wheeler. He was stopped by a female constable, who asked him to speak to Dulam. The reporter said he did not have any case, and Dulam accepted Rs 300 via ewallet, while the actual fine amount for the offence is Rs 500. mid-day’s photojournalist also captured several of the constables asking errant motorists to pay by scanning QR codes of hawkers’ ewallets.
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