Mumbai: Two Government Railway Police (GRP) constables were suspended recently after they found drugs in a passenger’s luggage but released him allegedly after taking money. The two constables, Lawrence Navghare and Rakesh Sonawane, were posted with Borivali GRP chowky.The incident occurred on the night of September 8 while checks were on at Borivali station. While checking a passenger’s luggage, Navghare and Sona wane found drugs in it. They allegedly did not inform the matter to their superiors and took the passenger to the first floor of the railway police station. A monetary demand was allegedly made and the passenger was released after he made the payment.After superiors learnt of the incident, an inquiry was set up and Navghare and Sonawane were suspended on September 12.In September last year, GRP commissioner M Rakesh Kalasagar had issued an SOP for carrying out baggage checks and the duo’s actions were in violation of the guidelines.“A permanent solution to prevent corruption, extortion and misuse of power is to install cameras in every room, office or corner of the police station. On-duty GRP, Railway Protection Force (RPF) and ticket checkers should be equipped with body cameras to ensure transparency and accountability,” said passenger rights activist Samir Zaveri.Earlier this month, two GRP constables were suspended for allegedly facilitating the transport of banned gutka from Gujarat to Mumbai. One of the constables, Anil Gujjar, was posted at Borivali GRP chowky while the other, Tushar Thakur, was posted at Vasai GRP chowky.
