A Pune police constable was arrested after allegedly threatening a motorist with action and vehicle seizure while demanding Rs 5,000 on the Mumbai-Bengaluru bypass, according to a report by Pudhari – Pune. The report says the incident occurred near the Dukkarkhind area and that a case of extortion was registered at Warje Malwadi police station.
The complaint was filed by Shivkumar Bachchulal Saroj, 23, a resident of Achalpur in Uttar Pradesh’s Prayagraj district. According to the report, Saroj was travelling on the bypass at about 11.15 am on October 29 when a police constable stopped his car near Dukkarkhind.
The constable allegedly threatened Saroj with police action and warned that his vehicle would be seized. The report says the motorist was then allegedly asked to pay Rs 5,000. Saroj subsequently approached Warje police station and submitted a complaint.
The report states that police took the constable into custody and arrested him after questioning allegedly indicated that he had threatened the motorist and demanded money. It identifies the arrested officer as Baburao Popat Dhole, aged 33, and says he was posted at police headquarters rather than on regular highway duty.
However, the supplied report refers to the accused by the surname “Kale” in two later passages, creating an inconsistency over the officer’s identity. The arrest details, the exact sections applied and the officer’s current status could not be independently established from the material supplied for this report.
The case highlights the direct point of contact between motorists and enforcement personnel on major urban road corridors, where threats of vehicle seizure or punitive action can create pressure on road users. The report does not state whether money was actually paid, whether any recording or other evidence was collected, or whether departmental action was initiated against the officer.
Police Sub-Inspector Siddheshwar Raigonda is investigating the case, according to Pudhari – Pune. Further official details about the investigation and the accused officer’s identity remain awaited.
