Haryana Police Nab Traffic Cop For Pocketing Over Rs 3 Cr Challan Money, Issuing Fake Tickets
It might come as a shock to many that corrupt traffic cops might have pocketed some of the traffic fines that they have paid via e-challans. Yes, you read it right.
A massive scam of over Rs 3 crore has been exposed by cops in Palwal, Haryana, wherein a traffic department constable, identified as Janak, was arrested for administering fake challans over the years.
Following Janak's arrest by the Haryana Police, it has been revealed that two department personnel collected fines but chose to keep them instead of depositing the money in government bank accounts.?
It is also being scrutinised whether the accused issued fake e-challans to make money.
The cops became aware of the scam only after Superintendent of Police Lokendra Singh asked for a report on fines issued for vehicles in May.
While reconciling the figures, the SP noticed that there was a substantial disparity between the amount collected from fines by two traffic constables and the amount deposited in the bank.
Rs 3 crore was embezzled
The stark contrast in the amount prompted Singh to order a probe into the matter, and subsequently, it was found that over Rs 3 crore was siphoned off.
According to a statement by Sandeep Mor, DSP Traffic, the Superintendent of Police was alerted about the difference between the money received through e-challans and the money placed in the bank. The SP ordered an urgent investigation into this matter.
During the probe, it was discovered that two police personnel, head constable Janak and EHC (Exemplee Head Constable) Ombeer, stationed at the e-challan branch, were embezzling the money.
For years, these officers were pivoting government funds for personal expenses instead of getting the amount deposited into official accounts.
The SP further stated that the two might have issued fake traffic challans to collect money from people.
A scam involving fake challans?
The investigation brought to light that the police staffers stationed at the window for issuing fines had misappropriated Rs 3.23 crore through e-challans.
Moreover, in June 2020, Rs 1.4 lakh was collected through e-challan machines, but the money was not deposited in bank accounts.
Similarly, in October 2020, Rs 1.4 lakh was not deposited in any bank account, and the fines could not be reconciled. These developments indicate that the two created fake fine tickets to amass money.
Disparities that alerted the DSP
Based on DSP Mor's account, the department obtained Rs 14.8 lakh from fine tickets issued between August 1 and August 31, 2021, while EHC Ombeer served at the branch.
But the amount that was deposited was Rs 14,500 less than the actual amount.
Likewise, from October 1 to October 29, 2021, Rs 14 lakh was obtained as a bank deposit, while an extra Rs 1,800 was not deposited.
The inquiry showed that Havaldar Janak did not deposit a total of Rs 3.23 crore into the government's bank account, while EHC Ombeer did not deposit Rs 12,700.
Thereafter, cases were filed against the two traffic constables and the prime accused, head constable Janak was arrested by the police and is expected to appear in court soon.
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