Nashik and Jalgaon are believed to be the hubs of the oil mafia activities in the state for the last two decades. Criminal syndicates with political nexus run the oil adulteration rackets with impunity, bribing local police and revenue department officials.
A senior police official disclosed that the oil mafia nexus is linked to certain political leaders, who have a nexus with criminal syndicates in the state. The racket in the state is estimated to be over Rs 500 crore, where oil adulteration mafia operators having suspected direct links with certain political weight in Maharashtra.
One of the oil adulteration syndicates in Jalgaon was run by Atim Totla, who had a meteoric rise from being an unknown, hailing from Jalgaon to a petro products dealer with a fleet of tankers driving to almost every corner of the country. His company, Progressive Petroleum Company Ltd ( PPCL), recorded a four- fold profit increase in 10 years of operations - with offices in Jalgaon, Silvassa, Kandla, Indore, Mumbai, Kochi and Mangalore.
In January 2005, the Central Bureau of Investigation had registered a case against PPCL for allegedly diverting naphtha and superior kerosene oil for the adulteration of petrol and diesel, respectively between 1998 and 2003.
Subsequently, in October 2007, Wada police of Thane district registered an FIR against Totla and Rajesh Ghatalia, Bhaskar Desai, Naresh Vora and Nitin Vora under sections 3( i)( ii), 3( 2) and 3( 4) of MCOCA for allegedly evading of crores of rupees.
The FIR was registered after the sales tax department had found that the gang had evaded sales tax of nearly Rs 46.52 crore by importing naptha, kerosene and other by- products in the name of companies like Progressive Petroleum and Paradise Petrochem Shiva Organics, among other firms. The imported naptha was shown on record to have been sold in the local market, whereas the police suspected that the consignment was allegedly utilised for adulterating petrol and diesel in Maharashtra and adjoining states.
However, Bombay High Court later quashed proceedings, under the stringent MCOCA Act, following Totla's moving the high court against the filling of FIR under provisions of MCOCA, saying that evading sales tax did not fall under the act.
Considering an apex court judgement which ruled that, evasion of sales tax was covered by section 63 of the Sales and did not attract provisions of MCOCA, the high court quashed the proceedings under MCOCA. Atim is believed to have been close to a powerful politician and his close kin, in the state.
In the past too, the oil mafia has eliminated senior officials in the state. In June 1992, the then Deputy Inspector General of Police ( Central Bureau of Investigation) R Gade was killed in a road accident in the Nashik ghat regions. The driver of the truck which rammed headlong into Gade's official vehicle later committed suicide. It was suspected by the police that he had been eliminated by the local oil mafia for launching a crackdown a few months before he moved to the CBI on promotion.
" Around three years ago, Pradeep Roogani, was also killed in a similar manner in Nashik.
Roogani's vehicle was hit badly by a moving truck from the opposite direction. It is learnt that Roogani had exposed the multi- crore tax evasion racket carried out with immunity by the the oil adulteration mafia. Roogani had played a role in unraveling the racket, which facilitated in the then BJP state chief and incumbent national BJP president Nitin Gadkari, to get the state government to act against the oil mafia in April 2005.
However, the government action was only cosmetic and a few months later, the oil mafia revived their operations in areas like Nashik, Manmad and pockets of Thane district along the Bombay- Ahmedabad highway," claimed a police official.
MMRDA in balancing act: Iconic tower or Metro work?
The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) is finding itself in a dilemma, whether to give a preference to the iconic tower at Wadala or the first line of Metro railway.
Though the authority claims it would balance out both the projects, sources say the metro might get a preferential treatment as the deadline is nearing.
The MMRDA had sold a plot for Rs 4053 crore to the Lodha Group for the construction of iconic tower in Wadala. This plot was used for creating the casting yard for the first line of metro railway form Versova to Ghatkopar. However, with the Lodha group expected to pay their first instalment, MMRDA is under pressure to give the possession of the land to the developer.
" We are trying our best to maintain the balance amongst both these projects and I am sure none of the project would be affected," said Ratnakar Gaikwad, Metropolitan Commissioner, MMRDA.
T he girders, which are cast at the casting yard, are used as concrete slabs placed on top of the pier of the elevated Metro tracks. A maximum of 50 girders can be mounted on the piers in a month. There are six beds manufacturing these girders. The deadline given to the Mumbai Metro One Private Limited (MMOPL), the executing authority of the first corridor of Metro rail, to use the land was June 2010. Later, it was extended to December but the work has not been completed.
As per the officials, it would be tough to deny the land to the developer once the payment is accepted from them.
There won't be any alternate arrangements for the casting yard to be shifted since its a tedious process. " We won't be providing them with an alternate land, but would gradually shut down their construction work and hand over the land to the Lodha group by March 2011," said Gaikwad.
Though the authority claims it would balance out both the projects, sources say the metro might get a preferential treatment as the deadline is nearing.
The MMRDA had sold a plot for Rs 4053 crore to the Lodha Group for the construction of iconic tower in Wadala. This plot was used for creating the casting yard for the first line of metro railway form Versova to Ghatkopar. However, with the Lodha group expected to pay their first instalment, MMRDA is under pressure to give the possession of the land to the developer.
" We are trying our best to maintain the balance amongst both these projects and I am sure none of the project would be affected," said Ratnakar Gaikwad, Metropolitan Commissioner, MMRDA.
T he girders, which are cast at the casting yard, are used as concrete slabs placed on top of the pier of the elevated Metro tracks. A maximum of 50 girders can be mounted on the piers in a month. There are six beds manufacturing these girders. The deadline given to the Mumbai Metro One Private Limited (MMOPL), the executing authority of the first corridor of Metro rail, to use the land was June 2010. Later, it was extended to December but the work has not been completed.
As per the officials, it would be tough to deny the land to the developer once the payment is accepted from them.
There won't be any alternate arrangements for the casting yard to be shifted since its a tedious process. " We won't be providing them with an alternate land, but would gradually shut down their construction work and hand over the land to the Lodha group by March 2011," said Gaikwad.
Dedicated cycling tracks may be the way out for congested city
With an aim to rally support of building dedicated cycling lanes in a city that has seen unprecedented rise in vehicular traffic along with the pollution levels, two Swedish students are preparing a plan to promote the use of cycles here. The Swedish duo, Lina Hellstrom and Oscar Berjstrom, both students of urban planning at the Plekinge and Technical University, are in Mumbai for the last two months researching the possibility.
The duo, who is almost done with their research work, says there are many a reason why the city desperately needs a cycling project. Admitting to their desire to visit Mumbai and India, which has motivated them to accept the challenge, Berjstrom said," We feel a city like Mumbai needs more usage of an environment friendly travel pattern and hence we have selected this project and this place." The team has divided the tasks amongst themselves as Hellstrom is doing a macro research plan for the entire city, Berjstrom has selected the area from Dadar east to Matunga and Wadala.
The duo has been interacting with the people using bicycles and discussing the security issues with them. " Most people are amazed with the idea of having a dedicated cycle lane and are convinced that the move will motivate cycling habits amongst the citizens," said Hellstrom.
The main issue faced by the students was the immense traffic on city roads and irregular flow of traffic. They also didn't have any substantiate data to assist them in their research.
" Since no such thing has ever happen in Mumbai we didn't have much data to rely on and have to start from scratch," said Hellstrom.
Faizan Jawed, a transport expert is mentoring the couple. He said " the idea is great and we will try and meet all the key people to try and implement this in reality as it would be very helpful for the city". Though during the research the government authorities have not shown any interest, the duo is hopeful that the government authorities would appreciate their efforts as they plan to send the proposal to the concerned officials once the project is finalized. " We would be finishing the final project by February- end and then would try to suggest the government to follow the module," said Berjstrom.
The duo, who is almost done with their research work, says there are many a reason why the city desperately needs a cycling project. Admitting to their desire to visit Mumbai and India, which has motivated them to accept the challenge, Berjstrom said," We feel a city like Mumbai needs more usage of an environment friendly travel pattern and hence we have selected this project and this place." The team has divided the tasks amongst themselves as Hellstrom is doing a macro research plan for the entire city, Berjstrom has selected the area from Dadar east to Matunga and Wadala.
The duo has been interacting with the people using bicycles and discussing the security issues with them. " Most people are amazed with the idea of having a dedicated cycle lane and are convinced that the move will motivate cycling habits amongst the citizens," said Hellstrom.
The main issue faced by the students was the immense traffic on city roads and irregular flow of traffic. They also didn't have any substantiate data to assist them in their research.
" Since no such thing has ever happen in Mumbai we didn't have much data to rely on and have to start from scratch," said Hellstrom.
Faizan Jawed, a transport expert is mentoring the couple. He said " the idea is great and we will try and meet all the key people to try and implement this in reality as it would be very helpful for the city". Though during the research the government authorities have not shown any interest, the duo is hopeful that the government authorities would appreciate their efforts as they plan to send the proposal to the concerned officials once the project is finalized. " We would be finishing the final project by February- end and then would try to suggest the government to follow the module," said Berjstrom.
Plan to sack tainted babus even before their guilt is proven
A High powered experts committee has recommended that IAS and IPS officers be dismissed from service if a court of law frames criminal charges against them under the Prevention of Corruption Act.
If the proposal is accepted by the government, it could be the strongest- ever deterrent for civil servants who indulge in corrupt practices with impunity by taking advantage of the legal loopholes.
IAS and IPS officers suspended for graft could be dismissed if charges are framed.
The dismissal would be subject to the decision of the criminal trial and if the court exonerates the officer, he would be reinstated without his pay, seniority and other benefits being affected.
As a safeguard, the committee has proposed that an advisory board, comprising three retired Supreme Court judges, should scrutinise the chargesheet and give its opinion to the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) within three weeks.
If the CVC concurs with the board’s advice, the officer in question would be dismissed by the President.
The ground- breaking recommendation - which would need an amendment in Article 311 of the Constitution — has been made by a panel set up to suggest measures on fast- tracking disciplinary and vigilance inquiries against government servants.
Headed by former Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) chairman P. C. Hota, the committee had former CVC P. Shankar and former personnel secretary Arvind Varma as its members.
It has recommended a similar arrangement for state government officers with the power of dismissal vested in the governor.
The committee said the big change was needed because “ in recent years, corruption among government servants has become endemic and has been eroding the confidence of the common man in governance”. To ensure that the dismissed officer does not face penury, it has recommended the payment of a “ compassionate monthly allowance” till the case is decided in court.
“ Such a deterrent is badly needed. A handful of corrupt officers have tainted the image of the All India Services and the government needs to deal sternly with the blacksheep in the IAS,” a joint secretary said.
The panel observed that many IAS and IPS officers, who have no scruples in aligning with their political masters in their parent cadre states, have amassed “ mindboggling sums of money” and “ equally mindboggling assets” using such patronage. The Centre has no power to intervene in such cases because of the federal set- up.
“ Adding to the sad scenario is the unfortunate experience that not all state governments act promptly and decisively in instances of obvious and gross corruption… Under these circumstances, there is a strong need for the central government - that is where the buck has to stop - to find ways of stepping in,” it said.
The committee said that to begin with, IAS and IPS officers found to be on the wrong side of the law with respect to central agencies such as the Central Board of Direct Taxes, Central Board of Excise and Customs, Directorate of Enforcement, Directorate of Revenue Intelligence and Narcotics Control Bureau need to be severely dealt with.
It recommended that the Centre should amend the service rules and empower itself to start inquiry proceedings against such officers on the basis of the findings of one or more such central government agencies.
For instance, if an officer in a state amasses unaccounted- for income, the Centre would be able to take direct action against him.
If the proposal is accepted by the government, it could be the strongest- ever deterrent for civil servants who indulge in corrupt practices with impunity by taking advantage of the legal loopholes.
IAS and IPS officers suspended for graft could be dismissed if charges are framed.
The dismissal would be subject to the decision of the criminal trial and if the court exonerates the officer, he would be reinstated without his pay, seniority and other benefits being affected.
As a safeguard, the committee has proposed that an advisory board, comprising three retired Supreme Court judges, should scrutinise the chargesheet and give its opinion to the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) within three weeks.
If the CVC concurs with the board’s advice, the officer in question would be dismissed by the President.
The ground- breaking recommendation - which would need an amendment in Article 311 of the Constitution — has been made by a panel set up to suggest measures on fast- tracking disciplinary and vigilance inquiries against government servants.
Headed by former Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) chairman P. C. Hota, the committee had former CVC P. Shankar and former personnel secretary Arvind Varma as its members.
It has recommended a similar arrangement for state government officers with the power of dismissal vested in the governor.
The committee said the big change was needed because “ in recent years, corruption among government servants has become endemic and has been eroding the confidence of the common man in governance”. To ensure that the dismissed officer does not face penury, it has recommended the payment of a “ compassionate monthly allowance” till the case is decided in court.
“ Such a deterrent is badly needed. A handful of corrupt officers have tainted the image of the All India Services and the government needs to deal sternly with the blacksheep in the IAS,” a joint secretary said.
The panel observed that many IAS and IPS officers, who have no scruples in aligning with their political masters in their parent cadre states, have amassed “ mindboggling sums of money” and “ equally mindboggling assets” using such patronage. The Centre has no power to intervene in such cases because of the federal set- up.
“ Adding to the sad scenario is the unfortunate experience that not all state governments act promptly and decisively in instances of obvious and gross corruption… Under these circumstances, there is a strong need for the central government - that is where the buck has to stop - to find ways of stepping in,” it said.
The committee said that to begin with, IAS and IPS officers found to be on the wrong side of the law with respect to central agencies such as the Central Board of Direct Taxes, Central Board of Excise and Customs, Directorate of Enforcement, Directorate of Revenue Intelligence and Narcotics Control Bureau need to be severely dealt with.
It recommended that the Centre should amend the service rules and empower itself to start inquiry proceedings against such officers on the basis of the findings of one or more such central government agencies.
For instance, if an officer in a state amasses unaccounted- for income, the Centre would be able to take direct action against him.
Please don't bombard us with recos
When Twitter launched a recommendation service this week called ‘ Who to Follow’, there were chirps of excitement across the micro- blogging site. Finally, Twitter account holders said, we would no longer have to rely on luck or our friends to follow someone. Here was a service that gave complete control over choice to the individual.
The jubilation, or relief, was shortlived. As it turned out, the people on the ‘ Who To Follow’ list are exactly the kind you don’t want to follow or at least, those you have decided not to follow. For instance, I keep getting recommended to follow President Barack Obama and actor Amitabh Bachchan. These two are undoubtedly pretty high on the popularity charts (hough Amitabh’s 300,000 followers pales into insignificance compared with Obama’s 4.8 million), I’d decided to not follow them. In any case, you don’t need a Twitter service to recommend these two. The decision to follow both is a no - brainer — if I wanted to, that is.
Instead, I would’ve loved to see Twitter recommend folks who are beyond the normal and yet influential. For instance, I want Twitter to recommend Ethan Zuckerman (@ ethanz). The Harvard University researcher heads Global Voices Online, a worldwide community of citizen media authors, and an advocacy group that works to preserve the freedom of speech online. He is right now creating opportunities for povertystricken Africans to leapfrog into the mainstream using technology.
I want Twitter also to recommend Katherine Tiedemann, a think tank expert based in Washington, D. C., who runs the AfPak Channel account for Foreign Policy magazine. Very rarely do you see such erudition on a subject that has consumed much of India’s foreign policy, and now, the world’s.
Yet, Twitter recommends only those people who are on your friends’ ‘Following’ list but who you have not followed.
Twitter, therefore, assumes that my followers and I think along the same lines. Well, we don’t. If we did, we’d be on Facebook. No?
The jubilation, or relief, was shortlived. As it turned out, the people on the ‘ Who To Follow’ list are exactly the kind you don’t want to follow or at least, those you have decided not to follow. For instance, I keep getting recommended to follow President Barack Obama and actor Amitabh Bachchan. These two are undoubtedly pretty high on the popularity charts (hough Amitabh’s 300,000 followers pales into insignificance compared with Obama’s 4.8 million), I’d decided to not follow them. In any case, you don’t need a Twitter service to recommend these two. The decision to follow both is a no - brainer — if I wanted to, that is.
Instead, I would’ve loved to see Twitter recommend folks who are beyond the normal and yet influential. For instance, I want Twitter to recommend Ethan Zuckerman (@ ethanz). The Harvard University researcher heads Global Voices Online, a worldwide community of citizen media authors, and an advocacy group that works to preserve the freedom of speech online. He is right now creating opportunities for povertystricken Africans to leapfrog into the mainstream using technology.
I want Twitter also to recommend Katherine Tiedemann, a think tank expert based in Washington, D. C., who runs the AfPak Channel account for Foreign Policy magazine. Very rarely do you see such erudition on a subject that has consumed much of India’s foreign policy, and now, the world’s.
Yet, Twitter recommends only those people who are on your friends’ ‘Following’ list but who you have not followed.
Twitter, therefore, assumes that my followers and I think along the same lines. Well, we don’t. If we did, we’d be on Facebook. No?
Matter of time before FIH recognises Gill’s body
The International Hockey Federation (FIH) may be finally coming around to recognising the Indian Hockey Federation (IHF) after the KPS Gill - led body received government backing. The sports ministry has informed FIH that it has derecognised Hockey India (HI), which is currently supported by the world body.
In fact, FIH vice- president Antonio von Ondarza was in the Capital as observer for the HI elections on Thursday which pitted 82 year old Vidya Stokes against former national captain Pargat Singh.
When asked about FIH’s stand after the latest government decision, the world body indicated that India had to deal with the issue itself. “ As this is an internal affair, the FIH will not comment on this,” FIH communications manager Arjen Meijer said in reply to an e-mail on Saturday.
This reaction seems a bit strange as Ondarza himself has backed HI openly, even though many of the contestants had severe misgivings about the election process.
The FIH vice- president had even said that the world body fully backed HI and IHF did not exist for them.
Meijer indicated that whichever body satisfied the world body’s conditions will be considered the national federation.
“ However, only a national hockey association that is in confirmation with the FIH statutes can be recognised as official national body for hockey in its country.” It means that once IHF and the Indian Women’s Hockey Federation merge, and if the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) grants them affiliation, they could be in line for FIH recognition.
The unification progress is well under way and several meetings have already taken place. “ We only need to tie up the loose ends and finalise a detailed programme about our constitution,” KPS Gill said. Elections of the merged body will take place after that, but Gill said he has no preference regarding his successor. He has made it clear that he will not contest again.
“I can’t say who will contest. Even those now associated with Hockey India are welcome to come back.” Gill said he would not mind if the former defender contests for the post of IHF president.
“Not at all, but I cannot pick and choose. Anyone who adheres to the government guidelines is welcome.” IWHF secretary Amrit Bose also has no objection to Pargat coming over.
“It’s for the general house to decide who it wants to induct. But all hockey players and hockey lovers are welcome,” Bose said.
Pargat is holding his horses for now.
“KPS Gill has said he is willing to talk with anybody, so we will have to think.
“I’m not running after any post. Let’s see how things take shape. But what use is any federation if it can’t send national teams for international events?” he quipped.
In fact, FIH vice- president Antonio von Ondarza was in the Capital as observer for the HI elections on Thursday which pitted 82 year old Vidya Stokes against former national captain Pargat Singh.
When asked about FIH’s stand after the latest government decision, the world body indicated that India had to deal with the issue itself. “ As this is an internal affair, the FIH will not comment on this,” FIH communications manager Arjen Meijer said in reply to an e-mail on Saturday.
This reaction seems a bit strange as Ondarza himself has backed HI openly, even though many of the contestants had severe misgivings about the election process.
The FIH vice- president had even said that the world body fully backed HI and IHF did not exist for them.
Meijer indicated that whichever body satisfied the world body’s conditions will be considered the national federation.
“ However, only a national hockey association that is in confirmation with the FIH statutes can be recognised as official national body for hockey in its country.” It means that once IHF and the Indian Women’s Hockey Federation merge, and if the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) grants them affiliation, they could be in line for FIH recognition.
The unification progress is well under way and several meetings have already taken place. “ We only need to tie up the loose ends and finalise a detailed programme about our constitution,” KPS Gill said. Elections of the merged body will take place after that, but Gill said he has no preference regarding his successor. He has made it clear that he will not contest again.
“I can’t say who will contest. Even those now associated with Hockey India are welcome to come back.” Gill said he would not mind if the former defender contests for the post of IHF president.
“Not at all, but I cannot pick and choose. Anyone who adheres to the government guidelines is welcome.” IWHF secretary Amrit Bose also has no objection to Pargat coming over.
“It’s for the general house to decide who it wants to induct. But all hockey players and hockey lovers are welcome,” Bose said.
Pargat is holding his horses for now.
“KPS Gill has said he is willing to talk with anybody, so we will have to think.
“I’m not running after any post. Let’s see how things take shape. But what use is any federation if it can’t send national teams for international events?” he quipped.
No takers for a busload of cash worth Rs 92 crore
The Indian authorities distaste for taking on responsibility is a well documented fact. But, on Friday night, their penchant for passing the buck took an embarrassing turn.
A Rajasthan State Road Transport Corporation cargo bus carrying Rs 92 crore in cash shuttled between the RBI’s Jaipur office and police lines for five hours as neither the police nor RBI officials were willing to take custody of the bus.
The drama began at 6.15pm when the bus carrying ‘spoilt notes’ from the State Bank of India in Alwar, PNB’s Manu Marg Branch of Alwar, and State Bank of Bikaner and Jaipur’s two branches in Kotputli and Shahpura reached Jaipur.
As the bus reached 75 minutes late and the RBI’s offices were closed by then, the officials refused to receive the money.
Consequently, the bus was taken to the police impound — only to be brought back at the RBI office around midnight, where it remained parked until the matter was resolved.
The impasse was finally bridged and the money deposited after the intervention of Union minister of state for finance Namo Narayan Meena, who had a word with an RBI deputy governor in Mumbai, sources said.
On board the bus were officers of the respective banks, one of whom reported its arrival to S. N. Panda, the RBI regional general manager.
Panda replied to the bank officer that as RBI offices were closed at 5pm, the money could not be accepted, Jaipur (east) SP Hawa Singh Ghumaria said.
According to Panda, the RBI officials had simply followed protocol in refusing to receive the money.
Security protocol dictates that the transfer required at least 15 employees to be present — each having a specific role in securing the cargo, RBI sources revealed.
Moreover, banks possessing soiled currency are supposed to intimate the RBI two- three days prior to transportation. In the event of a delay, the RBI is not supposed to take custody of the notes, said an RBI officer.
As per set norms, Panda added, it should have been either remanded into the custody of the local police station or impounded to the police lots.
But the police authorities continued to pressure bank officials to accept the money which was not possible as the staff had already left, he pointed out.
Panda refused to budge even when Jaipur IG B.L.Soni tried to persuade him.
As the stalemate continued, the police issued an alert after which the bus was taken to the police impound around 10pm and brought back to the RBI building at 11.30pm after the high- level intervention.
Panda, who had gone home by then, was forced to rouse the bank’s cash handling team and send them back to take custody of the money.
A Rajasthan State Road Transport Corporation cargo bus carrying Rs 92 crore in cash shuttled between the RBI’s Jaipur office and police lines for five hours as neither the police nor RBI officials were willing to take custody of the bus.
The drama began at 6.15pm when the bus carrying ‘spoilt notes’ from the State Bank of India in Alwar, PNB’s Manu Marg Branch of Alwar, and State Bank of Bikaner and Jaipur’s two branches in Kotputli and Shahpura reached Jaipur.
As the bus reached 75 minutes late and the RBI’s offices were closed by then, the officials refused to receive the money.
Consequently, the bus was taken to the police impound — only to be brought back at the RBI office around midnight, where it remained parked until the matter was resolved.
The impasse was finally bridged and the money deposited after the intervention of Union minister of state for finance Namo Narayan Meena, who had a word with an RBI deputy governor in Mumbai, sources said.
On board the bus were officers of the respective banks, one of whom reported its arrival to S. N. Panda, the RBI regional general manager.
Panda replied to the bank officer that as RBI offices were closed at 5pm, the money could not be accepted, Jaipur (east) SP Hawa Singh Ghumaria said.
According to Panda, the RBI officials had simply followed protocol in refusing to receive the money.
Security protocol dictates that the transfer required at least 15 employees to be present — each having a specific role in securing the cargo, RBI sources revealed.
Moreover, banks possessing soiled currency are supposed to intimate the RBI two- three days prior to transportation. In the event of a delay, the RBI is not supposed to take custody of the notes, said an RBI officer.
As per set norms, Panda added, it should have been either remanded into the custody of the local police station or impounded to the police lots.
But the police authorities continued to pressure bank officials to accept the money which was not possible as the staff had already left, he pointed out.
Panda refused to budge even when Jaipur IG B.L.Soni tried to persuade him.
As the stalemate continued, the police issued an alert after which the bus was taken to the police impound around 10pm and brought back to the RBI building at 11.30pm after the high- level intervention.
Panda, who had gone home by then, was forced to rouse the bank’s cash handling team and send them back to take custody of the money.
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