West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Friday, 24 July suspended two motor vehicle inspectors (MVIs) posted at the Rampur check post in Paschim Bardhaman district, after they were accused of illegally demanding a bribe of ₹22,000 from a truck driver — an amount linked to a tax the state government had already abolished. The Chief Minister personally announced the suspensions via his official X (formerly Twitter) handle, framing the action as a demonstration of the state's 'zero-tolerance policy' against corruption.

What Happened at Rampur Checkpost

According to the Chief Minister's post, goods carrier truck number JH09BA3535, owned by Dipak Singh and driven by Shiva Yadav, was intercepted at the Rampur Checkpost in Paschim Bardhaman while returning to a garage after servicing. The driver, who reportedly carried valid documents, was allegedly harassed and pressured to pay a bribe. When he refused, the vehicle was seized and an unlawful demand of ₹22,000 was raised — ostensibly for a tax that the state had already abolished.

Officials Suspended and ACB Probe Initiated

The two MVIs identified in the case are Nazimul Haque and Anupam Banerjee. Both have been suspended with immediate effect. The state's Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) has simultaneously launched a criminal inquiry against them. Chief Minister Adhikari stated that complaints have been formally referred to the ACB for 'a thorough criminal inquiry and necessary legal action,' and that directives have been issued to ensure the wrongfully detained vehicle is released.

What the Chief Minister Said

In his social media statement, Adhikari declared: 'No One is Above the Law. The Government of West Bengal maintains an absolute Zero Tolerance Policy against corruption at any level of Administration, Department or Government. Extortion and Corruption will never be tolerated under any circumstances and we are firmly committed to weeding out corrupt elements to completely cleanse our Administrative system.'

He also issued a broader warning to all government officials: 'Any Official found indulging in corruption, harassment or illegal gratification will face the strictest possible disciplinary and legal consequences. We are dedicated to ensuring a transparent, fair and corruption-free Administration.'

Wider Significance

The incident is notable for several reasons. The alleged demand was for a tax that the West Bengal government had already scrapped — meaning the bribe had no legal basis whatsoever. The fact that the Chief Minister chose to personally publicise the suspensions on social media, rather than leaving it to departmental channels, signals an intent to make the crackdown visible. Critics and transport industry observers have long flagged checkpost harassment as a systemic issue on state highways, and this case may intensify scrutiny on MVI conduct across Bengal's road network. The ACB probe will be closely watched to determine whether the action results in prosecution or remains a disciplinary measure.

With the ACB investigation now underway, the outcome of the criminal inquiry against Nazimul Haque and Anupam Banerjee will be a key indicator of how firmly the state intends to follow through on its stated zero-tolerance stance.