Surat RTO Inspector Files Stalking Complaint Against Agent Claiming ACB Links
A 35-year-old Regional Transport Office (RTO) inspector in Surat has filed a formal police complaint, alleging she was stalked and threatened by an RTO agent who claimed to have connections with the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB). The accused, identified as Jagdish Patel, was subsequently arrested by Adajan police following the inspector's allegations of persistent harassment over his driving school files.
Details of the Harassment and Threats
The victim, Komal Makwana, who has served as an assistant motor vehicle inspector at the Surat RTO for three years, reported that the harassment began when Patel, operating from outside the RTO premises, repeatedly demanded she process files related to his driving school work. Over approximately two and a half months, Patel allegedly escalated his tactics by sending threatening messages through a garage owner named Kalpesh Kesur and confronting Makwana directly at her duty location.
On February 23, Patel reportedly sent a message to Kesur instructing him to tell Makwana to call him on WhatsApp the following morning. He also directed Kesur to inform her that ACB inspector K J Dhaduk was inquiring about her activities. Two days later, when Makwana called Patel as instructed, he allegedly told her that Dhaduk was conducting an inquiry and had specifically asked which car she was using, intensifying her sense of being monitored.
Police Action and Legal Charges
Fed up with the alleged stalking and intimidation, Makwana approached Adajan police, leading to Patel's arrest. Police have booked Patel under multiple sections of the law, including Section 78(1) for stalking, Section 221 for obstructing a government officer from performing their duty, and Section 351(2) for criminal intimidation. The case highlights concerns about the safety of public officials facing pressure from external agents.
Security Lapses at RTO Premises
The First Information Report (FIR) filed by Makwana raises significant questions about security protocols at the RTO and the access granted to agents. Despite strict security measures and a ban on agents entering the RTO premises, Patel was reportedly able to meet Makwana several times without hindrance. Investigations revealed that he moved freely across the RTO campus, visiting various offices and counters, while ordinary visitors are subjected to rigorous security checks. Officials noted that Patel's movements went largely unchecked, pointing to potential lapses in enforcement.
This incident underscores ongoing challenges in maintaining secure environments within government offices and protecting employees from external harassment. Authorities are continuing their investigation to determine how Patel gained such access and to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
