Official Bolero SUV goes missing, owing to negligence and non-compliance

Yet another example of laxity, on the part of the law enforcers, has come into light as a car stationed in Matunga area went missing on Tuesday. And what makes the recent event more alarming is the fact that the stolen white Bolero SUV was being used by a woman employee who works for the commissioner’s office. The policemen from stations in the central region are making every possible effort to zero in on the stolen Bolero.

It is important to note that the Senior Stenographer, Anuradha Venkatesham, 52, drove away with the car to her home on Monday, even when stenographers are prohibited from fulfilling their personal needs using the official purpose Bolero SUV.

As per the rules and regulations of the system, Boleros are meant to be used only by police officers, sources suggest. Moreover, stenographers and other clerical staff, are not permitted to use any official vehicle, let alone a Bolero.

Venkatesham, who had the possession of the car before it was stolen, registered a complaint at the Matunga police station. According to the woman, the Bolero bearing the registration number MH 01 YA 3512 had been parked in front of her building, Ragdev Bhavan, at Maheshwari Udyan.

In addition, her side of the story suggest that she had reached home in the Bolero around 10 pm on Monday. It was around 2 am that the building watchman came to her flat with the news that the car had probably been stolen.

According to the watchman, who was on duty at the time of the incident, told in his police statement that not even a single moment did he find anything that raised suspicion. However, he did not completely rule out the possibility of a theft as he said that he moved from the spot for about 10 minutes.

A senior officer, on conditions of anonymity said, “Such vehicles are not for use of any person doing clerical job but they are to be used by police officers only. Surprisingly ‘madam’ was allowed to use the Bolero.”

Venkatesham, the woman under the scanner, refused comment when contacted. “You speak to the senior inspector of Matunga police station. About why I was allowed to use the Bolero, please check with the officers concerned,” she said.

As a matter of fact, such events have been in news quite frequently, like the one which unfolded on 18th April, 2006, wherein Assistant Police Inspector Sanjeevan Kamble, working for the property cell, took away an official jeep home without fulfilling the required formalities.

The jeep, which was parked outside his residence near Kalachowkie police station, was stolen that night. Kamble bore the brunt of his carelessness as he was told to pay up a fine of Rs. 4 lacs in 100 instalments, also for not complying with the norms and procedures.

Official spokesperson of Mumbai police, Deputy Commissioner of Police Nisar Tamboli, confirmed that a government vehicle has been stolen and that investigations are on. “I cannot comment beyond this,” said Tamboli.