Kolkata, Oct. 9 -- The Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) of the state police on Friday arrested a Regional Transport Officer (RTO) of the State Transport Authority (STA) alongside a middleman for allegedly demanding and accepting a bribe of Rs 90,000 for renewal of a bus permit.
According to the ACB officials, the crackdown was initiated after a local private bus operator approached the ACB with a formal complaint. The operator alleged that the transport official, operating through a designated broker, had demanded a hefty kickback to process the renewal and alteration of a commercial bus route permit. Unwilling to pay the bribe, the complainant approached the ACB.
After receiving the complaint, ACB operatives set up a trap at the STA office in Central Kolkata during peak operational hours. The complainant handed over the money to a tout engaged by the accused government officer as per the direction of the ACB officials.
As soon as the tout received the cash, he was caught red-handed. Subsequent searches at the office of the RTO official led to the immediate arrest of the said government officer, who was allegedly involved in the extortion racket.
During an on the spot examination, it was confirmed that the tout had handled the chemically-treated currency notes.
Further investigation is underway to find out who else is involved in
the racket.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.