Mumbai Police Officers Arrested for Theft and Extortion During Anti-Terror Operations
In a shocking case of police misconduct, an assistant police inspector and three constables attached to the anti-terrorism cell at the RCF police station in Mumbai have been arrested. The officers are accused of stealing cash and gold jewellery from a woman's house in Navi Mumbai during an official drive to locate illegal Bangladeshi nationals last month.
Additional Extortion Allegations Surface
Separately, the same accused officers allegedly extorted Rs 5 lakh from another suspected Bangladeshi woman in Kalyan. This additional charge compounds the seriousness of their alleged criminal activities while on official duty.
Suspensions and Internal Investigation
API Vijay Sutar and constables Yogesh Khandge, Nemane, and Petkar have been placed under suspension following their arrest. The alleged theft during the official raid came to light after an activist lodged a formal police complaint, which prompted an immediate internal inquiry.
Deputy Commissioner of Police Sameer Shaikh transferred the investigation to the Chembur police station for impartial scrutiny. The subsequent examination revealed significant procedural lapses, including the absence of a seizure panchnama or any official record of recovered items after the raids.
Systemic Failures and Missing Evidence
"It was found that several articles were missing, leading to allegations that the policemen had misappropriated the seized property," said a police officer involved in the case. "This resulted in the registration of an FIR late on Sunday, followed by their arrest and suspension."
The investigation uncovered that no proper documentation had been maintained, creating an environment where such misconduct could occur without immediate detection.
Ongoing Investigation and Recovery Efforts
Further investigation is currently underway to:
- Ascertain the exact role of each accused officer
- Determine the full extent of their alleged criminal activities
- Recover the missing valuables, including cash and gold jewellery
Police authorities have emphasized their commitment to a thorough probe to ensure accountability and restore public trust in law enforcement procedures.
