In a brazen case of impersonation and extortion, the Ghaziabad police have apprehended six individuals who were allegedly stopping vehicles and demanding money from drivers. The accused were operating under the false pretext of a government-mandated campaign to paste reflective stickers on vehicles for road safety.
The Modus Operandi of the Extortion Racket
Acting on a tip-off, a police team from the Kavi Nagar police station conducted a raid near the underpass of the Delhi-Meerut Expressway on Thursday night. The operation led to the arrest of the six accused. Their method was systematic: they would flag down trucks, cars, and other vehicles, falsely claiming that the government had made it compulsory to affix reflective stickers. They would then intimidate the drivers into paying amounts ranging from Rs 100 to Rs 500 to avoid fines or harassment.
The police recovered a significant amount of cash, totalling Rs 18,790, from the possession of the arrested individuals. This money is believed to be the proceeds from their illegal activities. Additionally, several rolls of reflective sticker tape, which were used as props to lend credibility to their scam, were seized.
Police Hunt for Alleged Accomplice Constable
A startling revelation from the investigation points to the possible involvement of a police officer. During interrogation, the arrested men purportedly disclosed the name of a police constable who was allegedly colluding with them. The accused constable, identified as Constable Pankaj, posted at the Kavi Nagar police station, is currently absconding. A manhunt has been launched to locate and apprehend him. Senior police officials have confirmed that strict departmental and legal action will be taken against the constable once he is in custody.
The arrested individuals have been identified as Sonu, Ankit, Prince, Ankur, Rahul, and Deepak. A case has been registered against them under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code for cheating, impersonation, and extortion. They were produced before a local court, which remanded them to judicial custody.
Public Advisory and Official Clarification
Following the bust, the Ghaziabad police issued a clear advisory to the public. They emphasized that there is no such ongoing government drive or campaign that mandates the pasting of reflective stickers on private vehicles in such a manner. Citizens are urged to remain vigilant and not fall prey to such fraudulent schemes. The police advised that if anyone is stopped by individuals making such demands, they should immediately verify their credentials or contact the local police control room.
This incident highlights a concerning trend of criminals using the guise of official safety campaigns to exploit and extort money from the common man. The prompt action by the Kavi Nagar police has disrupted this particular racket, but the search for the accused constable underscores the challenge of insider involvement in such crimes. The investigation is ongoing to uncover the full extent of the network and its operations.
