The Kolkata truck no-entry investigation widened on Friday after investigators from West Bengal’s anti-corruption branch questioned an inspector serving as the officer-in-charge of a traffic guard under Howrah City Police for around five hours, according to a report by Anandabazar – Kolkata. The officer is expected to be summoned again as investigators examine allegations that commercial vehicles were allowed into restricted urban roads in exchange for money.
The investigation began after information reached the anti-corruption branch at the start of September that trucks and lorries were entering the city during hours when commercial vehicles were subject to no-entry restrictions. Investigators, as reported by Anandabazar, suspect that a network was collecting payments to facilitate the movement of goods vehicles during these periods.
The alleged practice has a direct connection with the functioning of the metropolitan road network. Commercial vehicle restrictions are intended to prevent heavy goods traffic from entering congested areas during busy periods. Investigators have linked the alleged violations to traffic congestion during peak hours, although the report does not provide a separate estimate of the number of vehicles involved or the extent of the resulting delays.
The inquiry also covers allegations that vehicles with non-commercial number plates were being used for commercial purposes. Investigators reportedly identified a person named Sanjib Nandi, also known as Bappa, as someone allegedly collecting money on behalf of the network to facilitate lorry entry. The report says investigators questioned Nandi and subsequently examined possible financial links involving police personnel and civic volunteers.
According to the report, payments were allegedly distributed among personnel associated with traffic policing in Kolkata, Howrah and Bidhannagar. A civic volunteer attached to Howrah City Police was questioned earlier in the week, and the name of the inspector subsequently emerged during that inquiry. Investigators reportedly questioned the officer about the allegations but were not satisfied with his answers, according to sources cited by Anandabazar. The officer has not been publicly identified in the supplied report, and no conclusion of wrongdoing has been established against him.
The anti-corruption branch is also examining the role of several sergeants working in Kolkata Traffic Police traffic guards. Three sergeants have reportedly been questioned, with investigators alleging inconsistencies in their statements and planning further questioning. The report further states that investigators have found evidence of online money transfers involving several officers connected with Kolkata Police and the state police traffic department. The nature, amount and legal status of those transactions have not been disclosed.
The case highlights the administrative importance of enforcing time-based commercial vehicle restrictions across a metropolitan area governed by multiple police and traffic jurisdictions. The supplied report does not state whether any arrests have been made, whether formal charges have been filed, or what disciplinary action, if any, has been initiated. Investigators are expected to continue questioning the officer, the sergeants and other people allegedly connected with the network.
