Delhi Crime Branch Cracks Down on Extortion Racket Targeting Traffic Police
In a significant breakthrough, the Delhi Crime Branch has apprehended two pivotal individuals, including one of the masterminds, linked to a sophisticated extortion operation that specifically targeted traffic police personnel. The racket involved the sale of unauthorized stickers and keyrings, facilitating hassle-free vehicle movement without proper documentation.
Arrests and Seizures Unveil Racket's Scale
DCP Sanjeev Yadav disclosed that the accused have been identified as 38-year-old Jai Bhagwan, a seasoned criminal with a history of murder and dacoity, and 26-year-old Shivam Sharma, a key associate captured in Uttar Pradesh's Farrukhabad. Law enforcement officials confiscated 282 fraudulent stickers, six mobile phones, and a Swift Dzire car during the operation. These latest detentions have elevated the total number of arrests in this case to 20, underscoring the extensive nature of the criminal network.
Jai Bhagwan, a resident of Rithala originally from Haryana, is alleged to lead one syndicate and has prior involvement in four criminal cases, including extortion of police personnel. Shivam Sharma, working as a driver, is accused of serving as a primary distributor for another gang leader, Jeeshan Ali, further highlighting the organized structure of the operation.
Parallel System of Traffic Enforcement Exposed
The gang operated a parallel system of traffic enforcement, selling illicit marka stickers and keyrings to commercial vehicle owners for amounts ranging from Rs 2,000 to Rs 5,000 per month. These items promised immunity from police challans and unauthorized passage during restricted no-entry hours, effectively creating a shadow authority on Delhi's roads.
To safeguard their clients and circumvent legal barriers, the syndicate employed digital extortion tactics. Members filmed traffic police officers during their duties, strategically editing the footage and uploading it on social media platforms. This method was used to harass and blackmail officers, coercing them into releasing the syndicate's protected vehicles without penalties, thereby reinforcing the gang's control over the system.
Investigation Highlights Systemic Oversight Concerns
Despite these revelations, the ongoing probe has yet to address the potential role of traffic police personnel and senior officers in facilitating the racket. A senior officer remarked, Such an expansive and organised racket, operating openly on Delhi's roads, could not have functioned so effectively without the active collusion or systemic oversight of traffic personnel. This statement raises critical questions about internal accountability within the department.
Sources indicate that main kingpin Raju Meena, arrested earlier, had close ties to several senior traffic officers and even conducted grievance meetings where targeted traffic cops were made to sit on the floor. Police recovered multiple videos showing traffic officers accepting challans, suggesting that not all interactions were solely based on blackmail. The investigation has so far only led to the arrest of a traffic cop's wife, leaving deeper connections largely unexplored.
This case underscores the urgent need for enhanced vigilance and reforms within traffic enforcement agencies to prevent such illicit activities from undermining public trust and law enforcement integrity.
