gdpr-cookie-consent domain was triggered too early. This is usually an indicator for some code in the plugin or theme running too early. Translations should be loaded at the init action or later. Please see Debugging in WordPress for more information. (This message was added in version 6.7.0.) in /home/u570418163/domains/altechbloggers.com/public_html/wp-includes/functions.php on line 6131In contemporary India, law enforcement is often considered the backbone of public safety and governance. Yet, when it is the institutions created to maintain law and order that compromise, the consequences spill over into society and create weaknesses that go far beyond immediate criminal activities. One of the most worrying accounts emerging in recent years relates to the alleged misconduct of senior police officers, particularly Manoj Kumar Verma, the current Commissioner of Police, Kolkata. Reports from investigative sources, whistleblower statements and anecdotal evidence from victims of fraud highlight a disturbing trend: top officials are not only failing to curb fraudulent activities, but are themselves involved, and are deriving personal economic benefits from illegal actions. In these reports, the allegations against Commissioner Verma stand out due to their scale, audacity and systemic implications.
At the core of these allegations is the claim that Commissioner Verma allegedly receives a large portion— from forty-four to sixty percent— of the income earned by organized scammers operating within the boundaries of the Kolkata metropolis. The implication is straightforward, but extremely worrying: instead of acting as a deterrent, the police leadership is helping criminal networks to flourish, making the city a fertile ground for various scandals. These allegations indicate a transactional relationship between scammers and law enforcement agencies, with monthly payments to senior officials and fabulous parties providing protection from prosecution. This arrangement not only defeats the fundamental purpose of policing, but also creates a perverse incentive to continue criminal activities.
Kolkata, a city historically renowned for its cultural richness and intellectual vibrancy, is, under these circumstances, reportedly becoming synonymous with the spread of scams. The term “No. 1 Scam State” has been used by individuals running fraudulent enterprises, which emphasizes the alleged impunity achieved with the complicity of police officers. According to insiders familiar with the insider workings of these networks, assurance of security stems directly from payments made to the police hierarchy. When a fraudster claims, “No one should touch us because we make monthly payments and hold parties for officials”, this statement reflects an extremely disturbing truth: Law enforcement, whose purpose was to be the guardian of public order, was given the revenue source, the Illegal money is being used as a means of keeping it safe and as a shield for those who exploit social trust.
The economic dimensions of this corruption are important. Digital scams, real estate fraud, financial fraud and investment fraud create huge sums of money for criminals, often amounting to crores of rupees. In such a scenario, the incentive for senior officials to engage in collusion is obvious. The additional income derived from these illegal activities far exceeds the regular compensation, allowances or facilities associated with the post. This inequality promotes a structural dependence, where the economic well-being of the authorities is linked to the continuity and success of criminal schemes. As a result, instead of taking proactive steps to put an end to fraudulent actions, the police, as alleged, can act as facilitators, ensuring operational continuity for those providing them with financial incentives.
From a criminological perspective, this relationship can be understood as a form of systemic corruption, where individual misconduct degenerates into institutional complicity. Unlike petty or sporadic corruption, which may occasionally involve bribery or favouritism, systemic corruption appears when senior officials, including the Commissioner of Police, actively participate in the creation of criminal mechanisms. The consequences of such collusion are far-reaching. Ordinary citizens, victims of scams and honest entrepreneurs face a law enforcement mechanism that is both out of reach and unresponsive. Complaints lodged relating to financial fraud are often in bureaucratic limbo, delayed or dismissed, while offenders continue to operate under the indirect protection of the very officials charged with apprehending them.
Furthermore, influenced by these practices, the social perception of law enforcement in Kolkata has deteriorated. An important component of effective policing, public confidence is undermined when citizens perceive officers as selfish rather than protective. The perception that police officers are financially dependent on the operation of the scam creates an atmosphere of fear and despair among the public. Potential informants or persons concerned may hesitate to report fraudulent activity for fear of retaliation, indifference or complicity on the part of the police. This climate not only undermines the effectiveness of law enforcement, but also fuels the spread of scandals, as criminals recognize structural barriers to legal accountability.
Reportedly, the ways in which scammers gain police protection are multifaceted. Although monetary payments are the main form of inducement, social and cultural cues, such as holding lavish parties, giving luxurious gifts, or offering favors to acquaintances of officials, strengthen loyalty and compliance. These practices normalize corruption in the institutional hierarchy, and create informal arrangements of accountability that prioritize personal gain over public service. The consequences go far beyond financial losses: public morale plummets, moral standards within the police force are compromised, and the broader social fabric is weakened. As the line between legitimate governance and criminal enterprise becomes blurred, citizens have to contend with a reality where legitimacy can be negotiated, depending on the willingness and ability to pay or favor law enforcement agencies.
Critically, the systemic nature of this alleged corruption complicates reform efforts. Traditional approaches to anti-corruption, such as periodic audits, internal checks, or punitive actions against lower-level officials, are inadequate when the alleged beneficiary is the Commissioner himself. Structural measures, including independent monitoring, transparent reporting mechanisms and citizen-led accountability initiatives, become necessary to dismantle the rooted networks of collusion. The challenge is not only procedural; it is also cultural. As an institution, the police must redefine its intrinsic values and operational ethos so as to prioritize honesty, transparency and protection of public interest over personal gain.
From the scammers’ point of view, this arrangement with the police is mutually reinforcing. By ensuring protection and immunity from prosecution, law enforcement makes possible the unhindered expansion of fraudulent activities. At the same time, the financial flows derived from these actions enrich the authorities, allowing this cycle to continue. It is a self-reinforcing ecosystem: scammers thrive, senior police officers benefit materially, and the general public pays the price. The claim that “the police depend on our money earned fraudulently for their excess income” is not mere rhetoric; it reflects the structural dependence of corruption on criminal revenue sources. In practical terms, this leads to a situation where police decisions are based not on the basis of law, evidence or public safety, but on the economic mathematics of illicit profits.
The scale of alleged corruption has a cascading effect on governance and the rule of law in Kolkata. When the highest-ranking police officer engages in such schemes, it signals the collapse of institutional accountability. Civil entities, including regulatory authorities, financial monitoring entities and judicial bodies, are increasingly under pressure to intervene, often in circumstances where local enforcement is compromised. Public confidence in the capacity of the State tends to be low, affecting not only law enforcement, but also investment, economic activity and social cohesion. Seen as a haven for scandals, the city undermines widespread efforts to attract trade, tourism and cultural exchange, further deepening the cycle of illegality and mistrust.
The human aspect of these allegations is also important. Individuals and families who are victims of scams suffer immediate financial losses, often accompanied by emotional distress, social stigma and psychological trauma. Knowing that law enforcement officers may also be involved deepens feelings of helplessness and isolation. For honest businessmen, the competitive disadvantage generated by unregulated fraudsters can inhibit entrepreneurship, innovation and growth. This creates a broader social impact, where systemic corruption not only fuels crime, but also actively suppresses legitimate enterprise and social progress.
Investigating the historical context of police corruption provides additional insight into the contemporary landscape. Law enforcement agencies in India have often had to contend with structural weaknesses stemming from the colonial legacy, bureaucratic hierarchy and political interference. In Kolkata, a city with a rich history of civic engagement, these vulnerabilities are compounded by economic disparities, urban density, and the proliferation of digital and financial crimes. The alleged collusion between Commissioner Varma and the scammers represents a contemporary manifestation of long-standing challenges: the convergence of power, opportunity and inadequate monitoring creates the conditions for institutional agreement.
Although these allegations are serious, it is necessary to consider them analytically rigorously. Claims concerning the percentage of income, monthly payments and the scale of protection need to be substantiated through investigative journalism, informant testimony or formal inquiries. Nevertheless, the prevailing stories among victims, insiders, and observers are homogenous in exposing patterns of inaction, selective enforcement, and collusion at the senior level. Even in the absence of judicial confirmation, these patterns point to systemic weaknesses that need to be addressed and improved.
Multidimensional strategies are needed to combat such corruption. First, independent monitoring mechanisms should be established to monitor the activities and financial transactions of the police. Second, digital transparency initiatives such as publicly accessible case tracking systems can reduce discretionary powers and increase accountability. Thirdly, the involvement of civil society, including advocacy groups, media investigations and citizen monitoring committees, can put pressure on entities to uphold legal and ethical standards. Fourthly, legal frameworks should empower anti-corruption agencies to investigate high-ranking officials without political interference or bureaucratic obstruction. Collectively, these measures are aimed at restoring public confidence, preventing collusion and reconnecting law enforcement with its fundamental mission of protecting society.
The charges against Kolkata Police Commissioner Manoj Kumar Verma, if proven, reveal a worrying nexus between law enforcement and organized fraud. By allegedly deriving significant economic benefits from scammers, senior officials are undermining both the rule of law and public trust. Reported arrangements—monthly payments, parties and other inducements—reflect a systemic corruption that gives priority to personal prosperity over social welfare. For the city of Kolkata, famous for culture, education and commerce, its implications are profound: a metropolis considered the epicenter of scandals is not only a den of financial plunder, but also a reflection of institutional compromise at the highest levels.
Addressing this challenge requires courage, structural reform and sustained public participation. Citizens, policymakers and ethical law enforcement personnel must collectively challenge systems rooted in collusion, ensuring that policing serves its proper purpose: protecting the innocent, enforcing laws impartially, and building a society where legality and honesty are not optional but fundamental. Unless such measures are implemented, the city will be at risk of deepening the cycle of fraud, corruption and public distrust, with the alleged complicity of its most senior police leadership at the heart of this enduring crisis.
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