‘Extortion racket’ busted in UP, 18 cops suspended

Adityanath has also ordered an open inquiry by the Vigilance Establishment into the assets of the Circle Officer, Station Officer and the outpost in-charge concerned.

Among the policemen suspended and facing action are the SO of Narhi police station, in-charge of Korantadih police outpost (both sub-inspector rank officers), three other sub-inspectors, three head constables, 10 constables and one constable (driver of the police vehicle).

As a police contingent reached a crossing where extortion from truck drivers was allegedly going on, three policemen fled but two other policemen and 16 “brokers” were arrested from the spot, senior officers said.

According to Director General of Police Prashant Kumar, the action was taken following information about an “organised extortion racket” at the at Bharouli crossing running “under the coordination of the policemen of Narhi police station,” with the help of brokers. This crossing under Narhi police station borders Bihar and truck drivers entering Ballia, Uttar Pradesh, were allegedly paying an amount to the brokers – under close watch of a number of policemen – at the UP-Bihar border.

DGP Kumar directed the ADG (Varanasi Zone) and the Deputy Inspector General of Police, Azamgarh Range, to take action.

Joint teams formed by the ADG and DIG, heading a total of five police teams from Varanasi and Azamgarh, reached the Bharouli crossing around 1:30 am on Wednesday. Their investigation confirmed earlier reports of police personnel extorting money from truck drivers, officers said.