No electricity, but short circuit blamed

Important evidence related to a fake bail bond fraud were lost in the fire. Sources say constable burnt documents on an ACP's orders

No electricity, but short circuit blamed

Important evidence related to a fake bail bond fraud were lost in the fire. Sources say constable burnt documents on an ACP's orders

THERE can be no smoke without fire, but a short circuit without electricity is entirely possible or so the Railway Protection Force (RPF) would have you believe.

In an incident that will lend credence to the arguments of those accusing RPF officials of being involved in a fake bail bond fraud (see box), important documents related to the case were lost in a fire attributed to a short circuit in a room without an electricity connection.

The absence of an electrical connection in the room aroused suspicions of the officials and they carried out a panchnama of the spot

According to a complaint (copy with MiD DAY) filed by an activist with various authorities, on March 27, a fire broke out in a room at the RPF police station in Kurla where important papers related to the case were kept.

The room also had a muster of an assistant commissioner of police in which the documents and other things present in the police station during his visits were noted.

When a senior RPF officer and vigilance officer reached the spot, a constable told them that the fire was caused by a short circuit.

But, the absence of an electrical connection in the room aroused their suspicions and they carried out a panchnama of the spot.

RPF sources said that the constable had set fire to the documents on the orders of the ACP. He had been instructed to burn the muster as well.
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When the senior RPF officer interrogated the constable about the remains of the burnt documents, he gave in and got them from Vidyavihar, where he had hidden them.

"We have registered an FIR and recorded the statements of some RPF men. The inquiry is on," said D L Gore, senior inspector, Kurla GRP.

This is not the first time such an incident has happened. Fake bail bonds were also destroyed in an unexplained fire at the RPF office in CST nearly two years back.

A social worker had complained to several authorities, including the CBI, to inquire into the matter and take necessary action on culprits. He lodged a fresh complaint following the March 27 incident.

Fake Bonds
Some RPF officials have allegedly been running a racket on Kurla railway station in which they catch hold of commuters breaking the law by crossing the tracks or travelling in ladies and handicapped compartments and produce them in a fake court.

The 'court', set up near the RPF office close to platform number 9, has a constable posing as the magistrate, who issues fake bail bonds with Rs 500 paid as a deposit.

The matter came to light in 2009, when an RPF constable complained to his seniors and the CBI. The first FIR in the case was lodged last year. The first FIR in the case was lodged last year.

The Other Side
"The incident occurred when a constable was trying to burn some discarded old papers in the room. The cupboard containing the documents caught fire too. The constable did not intend to burn them. The critical documents are safe," said Satish Vidhate, senior inspector, Kurla RPF.