Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari Friday warned state officials against engaging in corruption and other malpractices, announcing the suspension on X of two motor vehicle inspectors for allegedly harassing transporters to extort money.

Attaching the suspension order with the post, CM Adhikari stated, “A Stern Warning: Let this serve as a clear message to all corners of the Administration. 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.”

The chief minister said the disciplinary action was taken after a goods carrier truck registered in Jharkhand was wrongfully intercepted at the Rampur checkpost in Paschim Bardhaman district while returning from routine servicing.

The suspended officials – identified as Nazimul Haque and Anupam Banerjee – allegedly harassed and pressured the truck driver for bribes, ultimately seizing the vehicle and raising a demand of Rs 22,000 under the pretext of a tax already abolished by the state government.

Following a formal complaint, the Transport Department intervened to order the immediate release of the vehicle, and referred the matter to the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) for a criminal inquiry.

The action came amid a broader state-wide campaign to dismantle illegal “extortion nakas” along major transit routes like National Highway-2.

Earlier this week, state Transport Minister Arjun Singh informed the Assembly that recent enforcement operations uncovered around 4,000 unregistered trucks operating in Birbhum district alone, and it led to the collection of Rs 40 lakh in penalties in a single day.