PIL alleges multi-crore bail bond scam by RPF in fake courts

MUMBAI: The Bombay High Court today admitted a PIL seeking a CBI inquiry into a multi-crore fraud allegedly committed at Lokmanya Tilak Terminus in Kurla by Railway Protection Force (RPF) personnel who arrested commuters crossing railway tracks and asked them to pay Rs 500 bail bonds each in fake courts staged by them.

The PIL alleged that the money collected by way of bail bonds was not deposited in the courts and misappropriated by such RPF personnel after one of their head constables acted as a Magistrate and granted bail to so-called offenders.

Hearing the PIL, the bench headed by Justice B H Marlapalle, asked Ministry of Railways and Ministry of Home of the Union Government to file a reply within six weeks. The matter has been kept for hearing after eight weeks.

The court also took on record an affidavit filed by Government Railway Police which said that investigations were underway. Public Prosecutor Pandurang Pol, submitting the affidavit, said a special team had been formed to conduct the probe.

In the affidavit, Tukaram Chavan, Commissioner of Police, Railways, said the investigations had revealed that the alleged offence was committed by RPF personnel at Kurla during 2008-2009 by using fake bail bonds and false documents and misappropriating the money collected from commuters after charging them with relevant sections under the Railways Act.

The PIL, filed by Samir Zaveri, Director of Mumbai Suburban Railway Passenger Association, alleged that fake receipts were given to passengers who were caught crossing railway tracks and the money paid by them in bonds was pocketed by RCF personnel.