The Indian Railways has suspended RPF inspector Kamalesh Samadar from his duties with immediate effect on Saturday night. Samadar faces serious allegations of operating a large-scale extortion racket at the Rourkela railway station, where he allegedly forced vendors to pay regular bribes to continue their business activities on railway premises.
CBI Raids and Arrests
On Friday, a four-member team from the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) conducted simultaneous raids targeting Samadar. The raids were carried out at his official government quarters near Chhota Park in the Railway Colony, his office near the railway station, and the residence of a supplier-cum-broker believed to be associated with the extortion network. During the operation, the CBI arrested one of Samadar's key agents on Friday while he was allegedly collecting money from vendors at the station. However, the prime accused, Samadar himself, along with an accomplice, managed to abscond. Search operations are currently underway to apprehend the duo.
Vendors' Complaints
Sources revealed that several vendors at Rourkela railway station, who sell food items, tea, and drinking water bottles without proper licenses, had filed complaints with the CBI. They alleged that Inspector Samadar was running a systematic extortion network, forcing them to pay regular bribes to continue their business activities on railway property. The vendors claimed that they were being exploited and had no choice but to comply with the demands.
The railways took swift action by suspending Samadar following the CBI raid and the mounting evidence against him. The investigation is ongoing, and authorities are determined to bring all those involved in the racket to justice.
