After Bombay central case, three more GRP men suspended for extortion

In the current case, an order issued by the Commissioner dated August 1 stated that police naik Milind Maruti Satav and constables Sachin Ashok Walhe and Kiran Baban Awale posted at Vasai GRP were being placed under suspension after they were found guilty of the acts of irresponsibility and indiscipline.

As per the order, the trio was on duty at Vasai Road on the evening of June 13, when a person was standing with his girlfriend on the Foot Over Bridge connecting Vasai Road Railway Station and the city limits. Even though the couple had not done anything illegal, the trio threatened the couple with legal action and seized the complainant’s mobile phone.

The trio, as per the order, asked the person to pay Rs 15000. “The applicant somehow collected Rs. 5000 and deposited the money by scanning it on the scanner you showed to the applicant,” the order read.

“Your misconduct has given the applicant..the opportunity to file a complaint with the office of Police Commissioner Mira Bhayandar. Your said behavior is deviant and morally depraved.

Accordingly, since this behavior of the three of you is indecent and morally degrading as well as against the discipline of the disciplined police force and tarnishes the image of the police in the public mind, I, M. Rakesh Kalasagar, Commissioner of Police, GRP, Mumbai, hereby suspend you from service with effect from the date of receipt of the said order,” the order mentioned.

The other incident took place on August 10 at Bombay Central Railway station where three railway cops who had taken Rs 30,000 from the bag of a father daughter duo were suspended as well.

Activist Sameer Zaveri said that there are particular GRP cabins that do not have CCTV cameras on various platforms like Mumbai Central, Dadar, Borivali and Thane among others where GRP officials take passengers in the name of checking of baggage.

“There they threaten them with severe action and ask them to pay a bribe. CCTV cameras should be set up at these places on priority,” Zaveri said. A senior GRP official said that they will soon put up a proposal to set up CCTV cameras in these areas.