Madhya Pradesh’ Gwalior-Chambal region is known for its notoriety over the years. According to an inquiry report, Vegetable vendors, daily labourers used to wear police uniforms and pretend to behave like one at a ‘police station’ in Gwalior.
Besides extorting money, the gang would entertain complaints as well, according to the Times of India report. A surprise inspection by a senior police officer exposed the gang. Earlier a DSP-level officer had investigated the case in 2018.
His report was a well-kept secret by state police until Vyapam whistleblower Ashish Chaturvedi said he got his hands on it.
“The DSP submitted his report in 2018, recommending further investigation, but nothing has been done so far. We have pictures of the fake police station and fake policemen. Labourers and painters were given fake police uniforms so that they could intimidate unsuspecting people and make money,” Chaturvedi was quoted as saying in the media report.
Chaturvedi said that a senior officer was inspecting arrangements at Gwalior Mela Ground in December 2017, when four men in khaki saluted him. “The way they saluted him raised his suspicion. He stopped and asked for their credentials. Their response shocked the officer — two of them said they were labourers, a third was a painter and the fourth a vegetable vendor,” says Chaturvedi.
Following, SP Navneet Bhasin ordered an inquiry.
“The DSP’s report is very clear. It says these four people were impersonating policemen on the directives of an inspector. The inquiry also found that the inspector was operating from a police station that did not exist on police records. The DSP concluded his report by suggesting further inquiry into extortion and corruption, but nothing happened. I am moving court to file a criminal case against those responsible,” said Chaturvedi.
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