Commissioner of Police (CP) Vishwas Nangre Patil has disbanded his special escort squad following complaints of alleged malpractice against some members of the team. The squad had around half-a-dozen police personnel. It had been in the news for the past few weeks for conducting surprise raids in different police station areas. The team was headed by API Bhagwan Koli. After raids, the CP would seek explanations from the police inspectors of the police stations concerned.

 

The squad had conducted several raids related to satta-patti and other illegal activities. However, the manner in which some selected raids were carried out had started raising eyebrows. Sources said the squad had created fear among police station in-charges. Even zonal DCPs were reportedly cautious about its activities as the CP was directly seeking explanations from officers responsible for the respective areas. In recent days, however, various complaints and allegations were made against members of the squad. Following this, CP Patil decided to discontinue the team. Speaking to ‘The Hitavada’, CP Patil said disbanding the squad was part of his working style. He said he did not want any personnel to continue in such a squad for more than two months.

 

According to Patil, keeping the same personnel in the squad for a longer period could lead to their involvement in malpractices. The CP said a new escort squad would be constituted soon. The development has attracted attention within Police Department as the special squad had been carrying out raids independently in different police station limits. The move also comes at a time when the CP has been stressing direct monitoring and accountability of police officers.