Not-so-festive: Police accused of extortion ahead of Diwali in Ahmedabad
Updated: Oct 30th, 2024
Amid the festivities of Diwali, inflation, a sluggish market, and police extortion have cast a shadow on Ahmedabad’s traders.
According to sources, till now, the police used to extort ₹2,000-₹5,000 from traders on Diwali which has increased to ₹25,000-₹50,000 this year.
In areas like Danilimda, Naroda, Odhav, Vatva, and the industrial areas, police are allegedly demanding amounts as high as ₹1 lakh from industry owners.
Traders complain that in Ahmedabad city, areas including Shahpur, Ellisbridge, and others, the police are extorting money from traders under the pretext of a ‘Diwali bonus’.
Gyasuddin Shaikh, a member of the legislative assembly from 51, Dariapur Constituency, has written a letter to the city’s police commissioner regarding this matter, requesting disciplinary action against the corrupt police personnel who are harassing traders.
He has also appealed to traders to lodge complaints with the Anti-Corruption Bureau if police officers or personnel demand illegal amounts.
Also read:
AMC official arrested for corruption, caught accepting bribe of ₹20 lakh