Anti-corruption activist faces GRP ire for spitting

Social worker responsible for bringing nearly 14 corrupt railway officials to book was allegedly slapped, held for six hours and made to pay a fine of Rs 1,200 for spitting on the tracks at Churchgate station

Anti-corruption activist faces GRP ire for spitting

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AN activist was allegedly pulled up by the GRP, held for nearly six hours, slapped and made to pay Rs 1,200 all for spitting on the railway tracks.

If the punishment seems harsh, the answer may lie in the fact that the activist in question was responsible for putting 14 corrupt railway officials behind bars and making nearly two-dozen others take an oath against accepting bribes.

Activist Rishikesh Khargaonkar had sent 14 corrupt cops behind
bars and made two dozen others take oaths against accepting bribes

On August 8, Rishikesh Khargaonkar (38) was waiting for a local train at Churchgate railway station when he felt sick and spat on the tracks. A GRP officer confronted him immediately.

"As soon as I spat, a man claiming to be a policeman came towards me and dragged me to the nearby GRP station.
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As I was suffering from jaundice, I sat on the floor but an on-duty policeman slapped me and ordered me to remain standing.
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Only after more than five hours of mental torture was I finally released on bail, having paid a fine of Rs 1,200," said Khargaonkar

"The fine for spitting within the station premises is Rs 100. Charging me Rs 1,200, detaining me for 6 hours and slapping me was an attempt to stop me from pursuing cases of corruption against police officers," he added.

Khargaonkar said he was produced in the Mumbai Central Railway court where the judge asked him if he accepted his crime, which he refused to do.

He said he has filed several complaints, including some against senior police officialsu00a0 and the officials involved in the incident, but is yet to hear of any action being taken.

Early days
Incidentally, Khargaonkar's foray into activism was the result of a similar incident involving railway officials in 2007.

He, and several others, were allegedly nabbed, beaten up and had their money snatched from them for crossing the railway tracks in Wadala.

Khargaonkar had then sworn to bring corrupt railway officials to book and had sought the help of social worker Samir Zaveri.

His tireless efforts had led to 14 officials being booked and a meeting being called by senior railway officials, in which nearly 24 officers had taken an oath pledging that they wouldn't accept bribes.

His fame as an anti-corruption crusader had also led to him being called to meet a World Bank team which had come to the city in 2009 to probe allegations of corruption in railway projects funded by the bank.

The Other Side
"The GRP has no ill-will against Khargaonkar and we treated the case like any other. Spitting on the tracks is a crime and he has accepted that himself.

One of our constables had slapped Khargaonkar on the back because he was sitting in his chair despite being an accused, The matter is in court now," said Sangram Pache, inspector, Churchgate GRP.

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