Kolkata: Three Kolkata Police sergeants have begun giving statements to the state Anti-Corruption Branch in a bribery investigation involving illegal payments from truck operators.
Nandi offered fixed monthly payments to officers in exchange for allowing illegal truck movement, according to investigators. Investigators found that some police personnel allegedly took regular bribes through digital wallets to let trucks enter no-entry zones, use restricted roads, and move during prohibited hours. The probe gained speed after the arrest of middleman Sanjib Nandi from Howrah. Officials say he collected money from truckers and made payments to traffic police personnel. His phone and e-wallet records reportedly showed transactions linked to officers in Kolkata Police traffic guards, as well as units in Howrah, Bidhannagar, and Baruipur. The payments were usually made in the first week of each month. Kolkata traffic guards allegedly received higher payments than district police units.
The ACB suspects the network may have operated for years and involved both digital and cash payments. Investigators are now checking the tax returns and assets of suspect officers from the past five years to find signs of unexplained wealth or benami property. Legal action is expected if financial irregularities are found.