A massive corruption scandal has been exposed at Dhanuki Mod, Bihar, where a group of traffic staff and private individuals were caught extorting money from truck drivers. The illegal operation, which had reportedly been ongoing for some time, was brought to light through a viral video recorded by members of the Truck Drivers’ Association.

The Modus Operandi

The video shows traffic staff and their privately hired assistants stopping trucks and collecting bribes of ₹500 from each driver for passage. The footage, captured over just half an hour, revealed a significant amount of money being collected. It was estimated that if this continued throughout the night, the total amount extorted would run into lakhs of rupees. Truck drivers confirmed that around 500 vehicles passed through this checkpoint daily, highlighting the scale of the operation.

Private Individuals in Uniform

Shockingly, two private individuals, Naveen Kumar and Deepak Kumar, were found to be operating at the post, dressed in white shirts, black jackets, and masks to resemble traffic police. They had been hired on a 20% commission basis by ASI Ramniwas Thakur, who was in charge of the checkpoint. These individuals were the main players behind the illegal collections, while the actual police officers provided them cover.

Investigation and Arrests

The video evidence was sent directly to the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), prompting immediate action. Additional SP Alok Kumar was assigned to investigate the matter. The inquiry confirmed the involvement of ASI Ramniwas Thakur and three other police constables—Avinash Kumar, Lalesh Kumar, and Ganesh Kumar. All four were arrested and jailed under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988. FIRs were also lodged against Naveen Kumar and Deepak Kumar, who are currently absconding.

Widespread Transfers and Reforms

In the aftermath, a sweeping administrative shake-up took place. A total of 69 traffic police officers, including 25 sub-inspectors, 43 assistant sub-inspectors, and one head constable, were transferred from 15 traffic posts across the city. Traffic SP Aprajeet Lohan explained that the crackdown was based on concrete evidence and part of an ongoing effort to eliminate corruption from the traffic police force.

Technology and Accountability

Despite the presence of body-worn cameras and other monitoring technologies, the scandal persisted, raising questions about their effectiveness and the accountability of law enforcement officers. The incident has sparked widespread public debate and concern over systemic corruption within the police force.

Public Reaction

The swift and decisive action by the SP has been widely praised. Many have called for continued vigilance and stricter measures to prevent such incidents in the future. The case serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges in tackling corruption and maintaining integrity within law enforcement agencies.

This incident at Dhanuki Mod is one of the largest crackdowns on police corruption in Bihar to date. It highlights the importance of public vigilance, the power of social media, and the need for continued reforms in the police system. The authorities have urged citizens to report any such illegal activities and assured that strong action will be taken against those found guilty.