STF Uncovers Major Corruption Racket; Two Arrested, Departmental Officers Under Scrutiny.
Raebareli – A massive corruption racket involving the Uttar Pradesh Transport Department in Raebareli and Fatehpur districts has been exposed. The Special Task Force (STF) has uncovered that officials and staff, in collusion with private operatives, were collecting nearly ₹2.5 crore every month through illegal payments from overloaded trucks.
₹10,000 Collected from Each Vehicle; 141 Trucks in the Monthly Racket
According to the STF report, a total of 141 trucks were paying an average of ₹10,000 each per month as “protection money,” amounting to ₹14.10 lakh from just these vehicles. However, sources revealed that approximately 2,500 overloaded trucks pass through Raebareli and Fatehpur daily. Factoring in this volume, the total illegal collection was estimated to reach ₹2.5 crore per month.
STF Crackdown Creates Panic; Two Arrested So Far
One of the arrested accused, Mohit Singh, confessed during interrogation that he had been involved in this illegal operation for the past two years. He revealed that gang members would collect money from truck operators between the 1st and 10th of every month. The funds were then passed on to officials through intermediaries within the department.
The STF’s swift action has caused widespread panic in the Transport Department. Two individuals have been arrested so far, and several officials are now under investigation, with more arrests likely.
WhatsApp Used to Coordinate the Illegal Trade
Sources disclosed that the racket operated via WhatsApp groups. Lists of overloaded vehicles were shared with officials, and those on the list were given a “safe passage” — exempt from inspection or penalties.
Trucks carrying sand, gravel, and construction materials from Banda would pass through Fatehpur and Raebareli before heading to Prayagraj and Gorakhpur. This elaborate system reflected deep collusion between transport officers and the extortion network, allowing the scheme to run unchecked for years.
Dalmau Ganga Bridge at Risk Amid Negligence
One of the most alarming aspects of the case concerns the Dalmau Ganga Bridge. The Public Works Department (PWD) had earlier warned the Transport Department that overloaded trucks could cause structural damage and requested a complete ban on such vehicles. However, the warning went unheeded, and overloaded trucks continued to cross the bridge freely.
When the situation came to Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s notice, he ordered an immediate investigation and action by the STF.
Chief Minister’s Intervention Leads to Ban on Heavy Vehicles
Following the CM’s intervention, movement of overloaded trucks across the Dalmau Ganga Bridge was completely halted from Wednesday evening onwards.
Officials Face Suspension; Property Probe Underway
Departmental suspensions are now imminent. Alongside internal inquiries, the STF has begun tracing illegally acquired assets linked to the accused officials. Preliminary findings indicate possession of disproportionate wealth by some officers.
If evidence confirms that the assets were procured through extortion, the STF is expected to initiate confiscation proceedings.
A Deep-Rooted Network Finally Exposed
The STF’s investigation reveals that this was not a new operation but a well-organized racket functioning for years with multiple layers of involvement. The nexus between department insiders and external agents was so entrenched that higher officials were likely aware of the ongoing malpractice.
Now, the key question remains: will the crackdown stop at lower-level employees, or will STF pursue the senior officials who allowed the corruption to flourish?
For now, the scandal has severely tarnished the reputation of the Uttar Pradesh Transport Department, raising serious concerns about systemic corruption and accountability within the state bureaucracy.
