DT
PT
Subscribe To Print Edition About The Tribune Code Of Ethics Download App Advertise with us Classifieds
search-icon-img
search-icon-img
Advertisement

Rajpura sarpanch, 5 others collect ‘goonda tax’, booked

Had set up illegal ‘toll plaza’ at Maheru village
  • fb
  • twitter
  • whatsapp
  • whatsapp
featured-img featured-img
A video grab of villagers demanding money from a commuter.
Advertisement

The police have registered an FIR against six persons, including sarpanch of Maheru in Rajpura subdivision, for allegedly collecting “goonda tax”, Rs 100 to Rs 1,000, from vehicle owners for using the village road by setting up an illegal toll plaza.

As traffic movement is closed at the Shambhu border due to the farmers’ stir since February 13, 2024, commuters often take alternative routes through nearby villages to reach their destinations.

One such route passes through Maheru village, where some individuals started collecting “goonda tax” from commuters. Recently, a video showing this illegal activity went viral, prompting the police to take action.

Advertisement

Patiala SSP Dr Nanak Singh said some individuals were found involved in collecting ‘goonda tax’ at Maheru village. A case under Section 308 (2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) has been registered against Sarpanch Baljinder Singh, Harvinder Singh, Harmanpreet Singh and three unidentified persons.

“The role of sarpanch and the panchayat is being examined. In video, one can clearly hear a person stating that the panchayat has decided to set up a ‘toll plaza’. Stern action will be taken if anyone is found involved in illegal activity,” said the SSP.

Advertisement

A police officer said they found during preliminary investigation that individuals stationed near a bridge on the outskirts of Maheru village had been collecting “goonda tax” from commuters for the past five days.

Initially, the money was collected in the evening, claiming it would be used for repairing the Ghaggar bridge. Later, collections were done till early morning. After the video went viral on Thursday, no individual was seen collecting “goonda tax” on Friday morning.

An autorickshaw driver said he had paid Rs 200 in the past two days. A truck driver said he was asked to shell out Rs 1,500 but was allowed to proceed after paying Rs 1,000.

Simranjit Singh, a panchayat member, denied passing any resolution to collect money from commuters. He said this illegal activity had tarnished reputation of the entire panchayat.

SP Rajesh Chhibber said ASI Angrez Singh of the Julkan police station had received information that Baljinder, Harvinder, Harmanpreet and others had prepared fake receipts to collect “goonda tax”.

The sarpanch said traffic movement had been closed on the NH-44 for nearly one year and commuters were using the village road as an alternative route to enter Punjab.

He said increase in traffic volume led to damage to the road and the Ghaggar bridge. He claimed they had raised the matter before the district administration and farm leader Sarwan Singh Pandher, but to no avail.

Thus, the panchayat decided to form a committee to collect toll, exempting smaller vehicles and charging Rs 50 to Rs 100 from the drivers of heavy vehicles, added Baljinder.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
tlbr_img1 Home tlbr_img2 Opinion tlbr_img3 Classifieds tlbr_img4 Videos tlbr_img5 E-Paper