Unraveling a Transport Racket in Uttar Pradesh
Discovery by the Uttar Pradesh STF
In a significant breakthrough, the Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (STF) has exposed an extensive racket that allowed overloaded trucks to circumvent mandatory inspections at major entry points in Lucknow. This operation, which allegedly involved collusion between transport department officials and private brokers, charged truck operators a flat fee of ₹6,000 for each vehicle that passed unhindered.
Key Arrests Made
The investigation led to the arrest of two individuals: Abhinav Pandey, a broker hailing from Siddhauli in Sitapur, and Kapil, a dumper driver from Sajeeti Kuria village in Kanpur. During their interrogations, Pandey disclosed that he charged a total of ₹7,000 per truck. Out of this fee, ₹6,000 was purportedly set aside for transport officials and other staff members to ensure clean passage for the vehicles.
Operation Dynamics: WhatsApp Lists
As the investigation progressed, it became clear that the entire operation was facilitated through pre-compiled WhatsApp lists. Brokers were tasked with sending truck identification numbers and payment confirmations to appointed contacts. Vehicles labeled as “cleared” were allowed to traverse checkpoints without facing weighing or document verifications. This systematic approach had evidently been functioning for several months, leading to unimpeded movement of numerous trucks across the city.
Implications for Transport Officials
The interrogation of Pandey and Kapil revealed names of various officials who are now under scrutiny. Among those implicated are:
- Raju Bansal – ART0
- Anuj and Girijesh – Constables
- Manoj Bhardwaj – PTO
- Vinod Yadav – Former RTO’s driver
- Ritesh Kumar – Related to the broker
- Sunil Sachan – Associate of Pandey
In light of these findings, the Madiyaon police registered a case against nine individuals, in accordance with the Prevention of Corruption Act of 1998 (Sections 7 and 12) as well as sections of the Indian Penal Code pertaining to cheating, fraud, and conspiracy.
Evidence of Malfeasance
The STF’s investigation has yielded a trove of evidence, including five mobile phones, detailed diaries, vehicle logs, a PAN card, driving license, Aadhaar card, a car, and a dumper truck, along with various transport-related documents like weighbridge slips and tax invoices. The materials collected align closely with the testimonies provided by the arrested individuals and support the established money trail and list of trucks involved in the scheme.
ACP Aliganj Arib Khan confirmed the filing of an FIR and noted that further investigations are currently in progress.
Broader Crackdown Across Regions
In a simultaneous series of operations, the STF has also expanded its focus to Raebareli and Fatehpur, identifying more players within the same network. Broker Mohan Singh and truck driver Sunil Yadav were apprehended and subsequently remanded to jail.
The search continues for nine officials who are currently evading law enforcement. Notable absconders include:
- Pushpanjali Mitra – Raebareli ARTO
- Akhilesh Tiwari – Fatehpur PTO
- Ambuj – Raebareli ARTO
- And several others, totaling nine fugitives.
Financial Scale of the Racket
Authorities estimate that this illegal operation was generating significant daily revenues, amounting to lakhs—translating into crores of rupees on a monthly basis. There’s growing concern that similar illicit clearance systems may be pervasive in other districts across Uttar Pradesh.
The revelations from this investigation underscore the urgent need for reform within the transport system, aiming to eliminate corruption and ensure better compliance with regulatory standards.
