Nagpur: In a stunning revelation of alleged corruption and abuse of power inside the Transport Department, Sitabuldi Police have booked current and former officers of the Regional Transport Office (RTO) for orchestrating a long-running criminal conspiracy to sabotage a fellow officer’s career. The case strikes at the heart of the state’s transport machinery, exposing what investigators describe as a network of fabricated complaints, forged documents and influence-peddling.
Those named in the FIR include Nagpur Rural RTO Vijay Chavan of Vivekanand Nagar, Sonegaon; Hemangini Balasaheb Patil of Thane; Dipak Annasaheb Patil of Pune; Gita Shejwal of Ahmednagar; and retired Transport Officer Laxman Pralhad Khade. The complaint was filed by Ravindra Bhuyar, now RTO Akola, who served in multiple Nagpur RTO offices between 2021 and 2024.
According to police, the alleged conspiracy began when Bhuyar held additional charge of RTO Nagpur City and Nagpur Rural in 2021–22. At the time, Vijay Chavan was posted in Gadchiroli and was allegedly desperate to take over both Nagpur postings “out of greed for power.” Despite several attempts, the Government rejected Chavan’s proposals due to policy guidelines—setting the stage for a deeper conspiracy.
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Investigators said Bhuyar reported that Chavan enlisted other officers to fabricate complaints and damage his reputation. In November 2022, a meeting was allegedly held in Pune between Chavan, retired officer Khade, and a middleman named Suresh Bundele, where the group planned Bhuyar’s removal from both Nagpur posts.
Fake application used to oust Bhuyar
The FIR states that on December 12, 2022, an order was issued stripping Bhuyar of his additional charges and handing them to Chavan. However, a later probe by the Transport Commissioner exposed that the application used to issue this order was bogus, created using “misleading and fabricated documents.” The fraudulent order was cancelled, and charge was restored to Bhuyar — enraging the accused officers, police said.
False sexual harassment case fabricated, claims officer
When earlier attempts failed, the conspiracy allegedly escalated. Bhuyar claimed that on January 16, 2023, a false sexual harassment complaint was filed against him under the influence of Chavan and Khade. He stated an “illegal” grievance redressal committee was formed, with Hemangini Patil as chairperson, who then manipulated the inquiry. Committee member Anita Darvekar later raised objections, exposing procedural violations.
A political middleman allegedly demanded Rs 1 crore to withdraw the fabricated complaint. The Anti-Corruption Bureau subsequently trapped this middleman in a bribery case.
In January 2024, police filed a B-Summary report in the sexual harassment case, declaring it false and driven by personal enmity.
Court establishes prima facie conspiracy; orders FIR
In June 2024, the Senior Civil Judge, Nagpur, examined the evidence and held that the accused officers had misused their positions, forged documents, and conspired to malign Bhuyar. The court ruled that offences under IPC Section 409 (criminal breach of trust by public servant) were made out and directed Sitabuldi Police to register an FIR.
Acting on the court’s orders, police have now booked the accused under Sections 409, 109, 120-B, 166, 167, and 500 of the IPC. A detailed investigation is underway, and further action is expected.
