Gujarat police books five for running fake toll plaza for over one year swindling over Rs. 75 crore
Ahmedabad: Gujarat Police have initiated legal proceedings against five individuals for operating an illegal toll plaza in Morbi district, providing unauthorized passage to vehicles through a private route while collecting significantly reduced toll fees compared to the genuine toll plaza. The revelation, which surfaced just weeks after the exposure of a network of conmen running fake government offices, has caused embarrassment for the state government.
The fake toll booth, reportedly operational for over a year, is said to have amassed more than ₹75 crore in toll fees. The authorities took action following media reports about the operation.
The accused, including Amarshi Patel, the owner of a ceramic factory and son of a prominent Patidar community leader in Saurashtra, have been named in the FIR. His accomplices include Ravirajsinh Jhala, Harvijaysinh Jhala, Dharmendrasinh Jhala, Yuvrajsinh Jhala, and an unidentified individual.
The illegal toll plaza was set up within a closed ceramic factory called 'White House.' By creating alternative roads to bypass the legitimate Vaghasiya toll plaza on the Bamanbore-Kutch national highway between Morbi and Wankaner, the culprits asked commuters into paying lower toll fees than the rates at original toll plaza.
No complaints were registered by commuters, as they were charged considerably less than the official toll rates. The Vaghasiya toll plaza, situated on National Highway 8A connecting Morbi to Kutch, was circumvented by the accused, who collected fees ranging from ₹20 to ₹200 for vehicles, while the actual toll rates ranged from ₹110 to ₹595.
Upon media exposure, the local administration intervened, lodging a complaint against the fake toll booth operators. District Collector G.T. Pandya revealed that the agency managing the main toll plaza refused to file a complaint, prompting local authorities to act independently.
Health Minister and government spokesperson Rushikesh Patel stated on Monday that "strict actions will be taken against those found guilty of running a bogus toll booth to collect money." Meanwhile, retired IPS officer Ramesh Savani in a Facebook claimed the accused had allegedly accumulated around ₹82 crore in 18 months, expressing surprise over the authorities' delayed awareness of the illegal operation.
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Public can obtain e-pass online to watch Independence Day celebrations in Bengaluru: BBMP
Bengaluru, Aug 13 (PTI): For the first time, the general public can obtain e-pass online to watch the 79th Independence Day celebrations, said Maheshwara Rao, Chief Commissioner, Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) on Wednesday.
Rao, along with the Commissioner of Police, Bengaluru, Seemanth Kumar Singh, was briefing the media here about how Bengaluru is preparing for the state-level ceremony to be held on August 15 at Field Marshal Manik Shah Parade Ground, Cubbon Road, Bengaluru.
“Earlier invitations were distributed by government officials to special invitees and to those involved in the ceremony. Now, people can obtain an e-pass from the Seva Sindhu website (www.sevasindhu.karnataka.gov.in),” added the commissioner.
He said a live telecast of the programme is also available on Doordarshan.
According to him, the viewing gallery for the public at the venue has been expanded to allow more people to watch the programme in person.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah will hoist the Indian flag, following which he will inspect the parade in an open jeep and receive the guard of honour.
Siddaramaiah will also deliver an Independence Day message.
On ground security checks are already underway, said the Police Commissioner.
“Police have been deployed on guard duty at the ground for the last 15 days. They are also checking all the hotels, lodges and rest houses for any suspicious activities,” said Singh.
CCTV cameras and baggage scanners, Door Frame Metal Detector and Hand-Held Metal Detector have been installed around the ground to closely monitor all the events, he added.
He also appealed to those with green passes (e-passes) to arrive at Gate no. 05 from the Manipal Centre side via Cubbon Road.
He urged people not to carry any unnecessary luggage or items with them. Even essential items like mobile phones, water bottles, helmets, cameras, radios and umbrellas are best left behind to facilitate quick entry into the venue, he added.
Meanwhile, Bengaluru Traffic Police has appealed to the public to use public transport and metro service as much as possible, due to the lack of space for parking vehicles at Manik Shah Parade Ground and nearby areas.
Parking will not be allowed at Central Street (from Anil Kumble Circle to Shivajinagar Bus Stand), Cubbon Road (from CTO Circle to K R Road and Cubbon Road Junction) and MG Road, from Anil Kumble Circle to Trinity Circle), added a Traffic Police advisory issued on Wednesday.
