In a significant development in the Nagpur railway station extortion scam, the Government Railway Police (GRP) has finally registered an FIR against Santosh Arkhel — brother of BJP Yuva Morcha general secretary Rishabh Arkhel — for allegedly extorting 50% of workers’ salaries through threats and intimidation. The FIR comes three days after contractors submitted their formal complaint.
Workers Claim Threats of Murder, Forced Wage Cuts
According to the complaint, a group comprising Santosh Arkhel, Shubham Arkhel, Shahbaz Khan and Manish Chipel had been pressuring contract workers involved in watering and cleaning operations at the station. The accused allegedly told workers that the contract “now belongs to them”, and half of every worker’s monthly salary must be returned, failing which they would be transferred or removed from the job.
Victims told police that Santosh and Shubham repeatedly called them after their salaries were credited by ISF Services Company, demanding half the amount back. Some workers also alleged murder threats, creating panic among their families.
Based on these allegations, GRP has registered a case under Section 308(3) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for extortion and criminal intimidation.
Shiv Sena (UBT) Steps In After GRP Delays Action
Fearing for their safety, workers and their families approached Shiv Sena (UBT) city chief Nitin Tiwari, who then escalated the matter to party MLC Anil Parab after observing delays in action by the GRP.
Following Parab’s direction, Tiwari led the victims to gherao the GRP police station, where officers recorded their statements. The victims submitted audio and video clips purportedly showing the extortion attempts to PI Gaurav Gawande.
FIR Registered After SP’s Intervention
Despite the submission of evidence, no FIR was filed for three days. Tiwari again approached MLC Parab, who directly contacted GRP Nagpur SP Mangesh Shinde. After reviewing the matter, SP Shinde ordered immediate registration of the FIR and instructed the police to provide a copy to the complainants.
Sources revealed that the video submitted to police also shows a BJP leader present at the location. Investigators are now examining call recordings and expect additional names to surface as the probe expands.
With SP Shinde’s intervention, the inquiry—allegedly stalled earlier—has gained momentum, marking a crucial step forward in the ongoing Nagpur station salary-extortion investigation.
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