According to the report published in the Indian Express, vehicles purchased from Nirbhaya Fund to deal with the crime against women are being used to give Y-Plus security to rebel Shiv Sena MLAs in Maharashtra. It’s important to know that in view of the increasing crimes against women, the government made this fund for states in 2013 for the purpose of women safety.
According to the report, in June this year, Mumbai Police bought 220 Bolero and 35 Ertiga vehicles, 313 Pulsar Motorcycle and 200 Activa scooters. For this, Rs 30 crore was withdrawn from Nirbhaya Fund. In July, these vehicles were distributed into different police stations. This was the fund that the government created keeping in mind the implementation of the schemes.
In its report, the newspaper wrote that amidst the political upset in Maharashtra in July this year, the Motor Transport Department gave 47 Bolero from Mumbai Police to provide Y Plus protection to 40 MLAs and a dozen ministers of Eknath Shinde faction. This request to provide immediate security arrangements was made by the VIP Security Department.
Of the 47 Bolero given for security, 17 came back, but 30 vehicles have not returned yet. In the safety of Y-Plus level, five policemen are engaged in the service of the person. They live on duty round the clock. Quoting a senior police officer, the newspaper said that after purchasing new Boleros in June, they were distributed to different police stations.
The official said that 95 police stations of the city were given vehicles. Identifying sensitive areas, some police stations were given a vehicle while some police stations were given two vehicles. The newspaper has written that, a few days after the police stations were given, they were sought back to put them in security of the politicians.
Quoting a source of the Motor Transport Department, the Indian Express wrote that, they had to arrange vehicles for security, for which 30 vehicles were temporarily sought back from police stations. On the request of police stations, some vehicles were returned but some vehicles are still not returned.