Rogues in Uniform: Two constables of special team suspended after caught extorting from gamblers
According to sources, the constables—identified as Ravi Prakash and Madhuvan—were posted with the CST for over four years. They allegedly demanded a monthly bribe from bookies, claiming it was on behalf of their superiors in the commissionerate. Sources said that both constables had taken Rs 20,000 each in the past as well. The racket came to light after some gamblers, frustrated with the extortion, confided in acquaintances that senior officials were seeking monthly payments.
The information eventually reached the police commissioner.
Alarmed by the allegation, the commissioner ordered a discreet probe into the matter. The internal investigation confirmed that the two constables were operating independently and misusing their position to collect bribes in the name of their seniors. Based on the findings, both officers were suspended on Wednesday and departmental proceedings were initiated.
This is not the first instance of rogue behaviour by personnel from special units. In April, three constables posted with the District Special Team (DST) were suspended, and an assistant sub-inspector and a head constable were transferred to police lines, following an FIR that accused them of extorting ₹25 lakh from two bookies during a raid on a betting racket in the Shivdaspura area.
Each Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) oversees a District Special Team (DST), tasked with intelligence gathering, tracking organised gangs, and curbing the spread of illegal arms and narcotics.
Parallel to DSTs, the Commissionerate Special Team (CST) operates at the city headquarters for high-level special operations.
Formed in 2019, DSTs were mandated to counter organised crime through an 11-point directive, including data collection on criminals, tracking fugitives, and coordinating with the Special Operations Group (SOG). They were also instructed to maintain criminal dossiers and collaborate with the Modus Operandi Bureau to track repeat offenders.
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