The Sahar traffic police on Tuesday evening nabbed an auto driver who allegedly overcharged and intimidated an undercover police officer during a sting operation on the road leading out of the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport. The accused, Muhammad Aslam Sheikh, 45, is a resident of Jogeshwari.
According to the police, when the officer, posing as a passenger, revealed that he wanted to travel to Borivli, Sheikh approached him voluntarily, saying, “Sir, where do you want to go? Come this way.”
When asked about the fare, the latter demanded '350 outright. Questioned about the price, Sheikh gave evasive answers, insisting that the passenger get into the rickshaw. However, after travelling a short distance, he allegedly suddenly turned the vehicle around and claimed that a booking would be required.
When questioned further, he became agitated and increased the amount, allegedly telling the passenger, “You’ll have to pay Rs 500 quietly... otherwise I’ll deal with you.”
At that moment, as planned, the undercover officer gave the pre-arranged signal and police personnel and witnesses who had been waiting nearby rushed to the spot and stopped the vehicle.
Legal action
The police took Sheikh into custody and brought him to the Sahar police station. An FIR was subsequently filed against him under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for demanding excess fare from passengers, attempting to extort money through threats, and trying to cheat customers.
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