Govt closes extortion checkposts, yet collection continues in Mauganj:Extortionists threaten drivers to beat with lathis; questions raised over where these goons gain confidence from

Mauganj district of Madhya Pradesh was formed about two and a half years ago. With no basic facilities here, it has created a distinct identity across the country for the wrong reason and that is – illegal RTO checkposts, which the government closed about two years ago (July 1, 2024). These are closed in government records, but videos of illegal collection are emerging. The transport department claims that all their services have gone online, but the ground reality of Hanumana border in Mauganj district does not match these claims. Here, a permanent ‘broker system’ has been established in the name of RTO checkpost, where vehicles pass not by rules but through setting. Three videos of collection from this alleged checkpost have emerged in four months. These show illegal collection, threats, violence and misbehavior with truck drivers. As a result, two in-charges were changed in one month, but the collection game remains the same. Disputes over illegal collection happen here frequently. Regarding this, the president of the Drivers’ Association Rajkumar Vishwakarma has made serious allegations against the transport department and police. He told Dainik Bhaskar about each point of the illegal collection system. Before learning about the illegal collection system, let’s understand about four cases that are being discussed. Case-1: When money was not given, threatened with ’20 sticks’, truck key taken Date- January 16. Time- Around 12 noon Place- Hanumana Border Checkpost The truck driver sent a video of illegal extortion. He pleaded for help. What was in the video was shocking. Some people wearing police-like uniforms were demanding money from the truck driver. When the driver refused to give money, he was beaten with sticks. He was also verbally abused. Now read the conversation between those wearing police uniform and the truck driver Driver- You think I’m an outsider, that’s why you’re threatening me… beat me if you want to. Extortionist- We’ll hit you 20 times with sticks… (says while abusing). One of the people involved in extortion says – Do you want to make a video or talk? If you want to talk, come down. (Meanwhile, two people try to enter into the truck’s cabin. One of them takes out the truck’s key. When the truck driver started recording a video of the extortion happening to him, he was accused of hitting another vehicle. The people visible in the video have been identified as alleged RTO broker Shrikrishna Tiwari alias Danda Tiwari and Gautam Tiwari. A transport guard was also with them.) Case- 2 – Date December 19, 2025 Place- Hanumana Border Checkpost What happened- Broker was left hanging from truck for three kilometers About a month and a half ago on December 19, a video from the same location emerged, showing an agent hanging from a truck. First, he tried to slap and threaten the driver in the moving truck. When the truck didn’t stop, he started crying and grabbing the feet. The truck driver dragged him for about three kilometers. Who was the extortionist- The RTO agent hanging from the truck was named Rajkumar Gupta. Case-3 Date – November 4, 2025 Location- RTO’s Mauganj Checkpost What happened- Violence over non-payment of money Another case came to light on November 4, when money was demanded from a truck driver. When the driver offered to make an online payment, it was refused. He was beaten up. On November 6, when officials from the drivers’ union arrived with a complaint, they too were subjected to abuse and physical assault. The angry drivers’ union had submitted a memorandum to the Collector of Mauganj. Case – 4 Date – November 16, 2024 Time – Around 6 PM Location – RTO’s Mauganj Checkpost Mobile phone of video recorder was taken and broken At Hanumana transport check post in Mauganj district, at 6 PM, truck driver Inzamam Mohammad was going from Coimbatore to Patna with his truck (number RJ 11 GB 9981). Near the Hanumana border, officers at the check post stopped the driver and asked for documents. The driver asked why documents were being demanded when the border was closed. He suggested they could check the documents online. According to allegations, the RTO officer present there got angry over this. He got into an altercation with the driver. The conductor present in the truck started making a video of the incident. The officers took the mobile phone from the person recording the video and broke it. The matter is under investigation. Transport staff fled when drivers arrived together On October 10, 2025, a team of drivers from Mauganj district reached the Hanumana check post. The staff who were illegally collecting money from trucks at the check post ran away upon seeing the drivers. The drivers made a complete video of this and shared it on social media. What action was taken… Two officers transferred in one month, but situation remains the same December 22: Checkpost inspector Suman Dixit was removed January 16: Officer in charge Ashok Sharma was removed and sent to Gwalior RTO. Now read how collection happens at the check post Maoganj Drivers Association President Rajkumar Vishwakarma says that the illegal collection game is not only in Hanumna, but wherever these check posts are, it is happening openly. With the collusion of the transport department and police, collection continues 24 hours at the checkpost. Transport department officials say their staff will be deployed here in uniform, while the opposite is happening. Those in uniform quietly sit far away watching the spectacle. Four-five people with sticks stand in the middle of the road with cloth covering their faces. These people stop trucks. They illegally collect money from drivers. If they get the amount they demand, fine, otherwise they beat up the driver with sticks. Such scenes are seen daily at the checkpost. Now what will a poor driver coming from another state do? He pays money and leaves. Many times drivers only have money for food. When they refuse, they get beaten up. Guards are supposedly deployed at Hanumana checkpost, but they either remain seated or occasionally help these people in stopping trucks. Question – Under whose protection is the extortion happening Rajkumar Vishwakarma raised the question saying who are these people? Under whose protection do they stay here? It’s beyond understanding. This is happening here 24 hours, 365 days. After the check post closed, the only difference is that earlier these people used to broker in the name of getting vehicles passed. Now they stop vehicles themselves and demand whatever amount comes to their mind. Their roots have become so deep that they have occupied the border. The prince has demanded that only government employees should be deployed at the border. The guidelines issued by the administration should be strictly followed. Unfortunately, regardless of the administration’s guidelines, arbitrariness is seen at the ground level. SP said – Will take action if complaint is received Superintendent of Police Dilip Kumar Soni said that the matter is related to another department. A complaint was received last month regarding this, on which an FIR was registered. Legal action has been taken in crime-related cases in the past as well. In future also, if such cases come to light, action will be taken as per rules. If any complaint related to crime or assault is received, police will take action under the law.