Kulti: Anti-Corruption Bureau arrests Panchu Mondal, 'kingpin' of Rampur MVI checkpost; exposes interstate extortion racket
Carrying out a highly successful raid on National Highway 19 in the Kulti police station area along the West Bengal-Jharkhand border, the state's Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has arrested Panchu Mondal, one of the main key figures or 'kingpins' behind the long-running illegal 'vehicle pass' operation at the Rampur MVI (Motor Vehicles Inspector) checkpost. Based on confidential information, a special ambush team of the ACB conducted this sudden raid on Thursday evening. Panchu was caught red-handed while collecting cash from a goods truck driver under the pretext of issuing a 'vehicle pass' through completely dishonest means, disregarding administrative rules.
Immediately after the arrest, investigating officers conducted an extensive search operation at Panchu Mondal's residence and multiple nearby hideouts in his presence. ACB sources confirmed that numerous sensational documents, as well as multiple ledgers and diaries of illegal financial transactions, were seized during the search. During initial questioning, Panchu Mondal revealed several crucial and startling details about this interstate extortion syndicate that had been operating tactfully in the border region for a long time. Investigators are interrogating him in their custody to unearth the names and links of other influential members associated with this criminal network.
Notably, the Rampur MVI checkpost in Kulti, adjacent to the interstate border, has long been in the news and at the center of controversy over allegations of irregularities, corruption, and high-handedness. A few months ago, an overloaded goods truck was detained completely against the rules, and extreme mental pressure was put on the driver. Serious allegations emerged that extortion up to Rs 22,000 was forcibly demanded from the driver by citing a very old and defunct state government tax system. The incident caused a major stir at the higher levels of the state transport department. Taking prompt action, the transport department initially suspended two officials and handed over the responsibility of a full and impartial investigation to the Anti-Corruption Bureau.
Subsequently, during its investigation, the ACB had previously arrested the two accused government officials and a few local small-time brokers. However, the main architects of the broker network and influential figures known as 'kingpins' had remained beyond the police's reach and went into hiding for a long time. Finally, with the arrest of Panchu Mondal, one of the main heads of the network, a wave of anxiety and extreme panic has spread within the illegal broker syndicate in the border area.
Following this incident, intense anger and several valid questions have once again begun to surface among the general public, conscious citizens, and long-distance truck drivers. Despite the past suspension of several officials and the arrest of brokers, how does such a parallel extortion racket repeatedly re-emerge at the same checkpost? Is it at all possible to run such an extensive broker network without the direct or indirect backing or indulgence of a section of dishonest employees and officials in the government department? Affected transport businessmen and lorry owners strongly demand that merely arresting a few small fry or brokers is not enough; the real influential masterminds inside the department must also be brought under strict legal action through an impartial, high-level investigation.
