After being rapped by the Bombay high court for not taking action against the Railway Protection Force (RPF) personnel involved in the fake bail bond scam at Kurla station, the RPF has suspended 21 personnel of different ranks for their alleged involvement in the scam that had surfaced in 2008-09.
Social activist Sameer Jhaveri had filed a petition in this regard alleging that RPF personnel minted money by releasing persons allegedly booked for trespassing and crossing railway tracks on fake cash bail bonds.
The suspended officers include inspector Sanjay Singh, while others are of the rank of assistant security inspector and constable.
According to RPF officials, the decision was taken based on the recent inquiry report submitted by the internal vigilance group (IVG). “We have suspended the personnel who are of the rank of inspector to constable as per the internal vigilance inquiry. The CBI will now provide us the charge of each personnel suspended, after which further action will be taken,” said a senior RPF officer.
RPF sources said that out of the 21 personnel, one is attached to the Northeas-tern Railway, while others are working in different divisions of the CR.
Moreover, a departmental inquiry will be conducted at the respective divisions, where these accused officials are posted, after which actions will be initiated, which can also include removal from service.
The suspended personnel who are likely to challenge this decision will now be paid half their salary. Another high-ranking RPF officer said, “We have already initiated action against four personnel in this case. The move to suspend 21 personnel is as per disciplinary rules.”