Nagpur: A suspected criminal-transporter nexus operating from the Madhya Pradesh bus stand has come under police scanner, with plainclothes personnel deployed for a crackdown against agents allegedly ferrying at least 5,000 passengers in the garb of ‘baraatis’ and picnickers. The modus operandi involves one-day permits meant for specific journeys, such as marriage parties and picnic groups to operate regular passenger services.On Saturday, the MP bus stand depot manager, Rafiz Tomar, was named in an FIR at Sitabuldi police station and charged with cheating and colluding with bus drivers, transporters and others to fleece passengers, said police. A Mominpura-based cartel is learnt to have spread their networks through private travel agents and a bus fleet.Police are gathering inputs on those controlling private bus operations, luring passengers and charging exorbitant fares. The action follows allegations that criminal elements have tightened their grip on the interstate bus business, raising questions on transport permit enforcement and evasion of govt taxes.The FIR was registered following a complaint by Virendra Dubey, 55, president of the Bus Transport Welfare Association. A meeting involving transporters, Regional Transport Office (RTO) and police was also held to coordinate action.Zonal DCP Annapurna Singh said, “A covert surveillance has been launched near the MP bus stand and Tekdi Ganesh temple to monitor the stretch and identify those operating the network. We are gathering intelligence on people operating there and verifying inputs. A crackdown will follow soon. Police patrolling has also been stepped up,” Singh said.Police are focusing on agents suspected of approaching passengers, arranging their travel and allegedly charging fares at their discretion. Investigators are also examining allegations that some agents have links with organised criminal networks in central Nagpur.The scam was unearthed after TOI reported on the alleged misuse of permits by private buses travelling from Madhya Pradesh to Nagpur.Transport-related inputs suggest around 50 buses from different MP districts arrive in the city daily, many reportedly packed with passengers.Some buses are said to carry around 100 people and subsequently take passengers from Nagpur to Seoni, Balaghat and other destinations.RTO authorities are expected to examine whether the actual journeys and passengers match the purpose declared in the permits but the pattern has been operating since long, said sources.Police attention turned to the stretch near Tekdi Ganesh temple, where devotees, including women visiting for prayers, may be vulnerable to harassment.The area also faces traffic congestion due to haphazard parking and movement of auto and e-rickshaws. Traffic police have been alerted to the problem. Singh said discussions had been held with temple authorities and traffic personnel to streamline parking and vehicle movement.DCP’S UNDERCOVER RECCE: A LATE-NIGHT GROUND CHECKNagpur: Zonal DCP Annapurna Singh conducted an undercover recce around 9.30pm on Sunday, visiting secluded spots near the MP bus stand and Tekdi Ganesh temple in a private vehicle. Moving in civvies, she spent an hour speaking to local people and attempting to gather information about agents and suspected operators, said a local source.The exercise was aimed at understanding ground realities and verifying intelligence on the alleged transport network.
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