12 Kolkata: Bidhannagar Police has started maintaining a database of toto drivers in and around the commissionerate jurisdiction and is running their past profile check following the arrest of one of their drivers in connection with the rape-murder of a 14-year-old girl.
A Class 8 student from Gouranganagar, adjacent to New Town, was found murdered after leaving home following an argument with her family. The arrested toto driver, Soumitra Roy (22), is accused of luring her into his vehicle under the guise of offering a ride back home, only to commit the heinous crime last week. The body of the victim was found in the bushes near NBCC Vibgyor Towers in CE Block with multiple bruises on Friday.
In response, police have intensified checks on e-rickshaws, collecting the number of electric vehicles operating from each stand in the neighbourhoods and are maintaining a record of the drivers. They are also checking their past records.
"We have a ready database of auto drivers but the incident has triggered the need of maintaining a database of other operators in the service sector as well. Hence, we are maintaining a record of toto drivers. Our officers are visiting each stand and are keeping a record of the number of drivers registered there. We are also collecting identification documents of these drivers and are running a background check on each of them," said a senior officer of Bidhannagar City Police.
In this case, cops have found the driver, Roy, had two previous criminal cases lodged against him – alleged dowry death of his former wife at Dhantala and molestation of a friend's girlfriend at a fair in Ranaghat. He was allegedly arrested in both cases, as confirmed by cops and his current wife.
It has also been found that Roy had come to Kolkata from Nadia following criminal cases against him. Police have recorded the statement of the owner of the toto that Roy had started driving three weeks ago. The tenant, neighbours and his current wife didn't know about his dark past.
Cops said they have also begun conducting random inspections, checking for valid permits, and verifying the identities of drivers. Additionally, officers are urging passengers to be cautious when using e-rickshaws, especially late at night.