https://indianmasterminds.com

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

How an Undercover Operation with DIG and ADG Posing as Khalasis Exposed the Extortion Racket in Ballia

In a filmy twist in Ballia, UP, DIG, and ADG went undercover as helpers to bust a police extortion racket, sparking arrests and reforms.
Indian Masterminds Stories

Date: Night of July 24-25th 

Time: 1 – 1.30 AM

Place: Ballia District, Uttar Pradesh – At Bihar Border

Under the cover of darkness, trucks laden with goods flowed continuously across the border in the Ballia District. Many of these trucks carried sand and gravel obtained through illegal mining. At a point away from the border, two individuals flagged down a truck driver and climbed aboard, posing as Khalasi (helpers).

As the truck neared the border checkpoint, a group of policemen halted it, demanding bribes. When one of the supposed helpers questioned the demand, the officer in charge reacted aggressively, threatening him and insisting on the payment. In response, the two individuals disembarked and revealed their true identities. The officers were stunned as they discovered that these ‘helpers’ were DIG Vaibhav Krishna from the Azamgarh zone and ADG Piyush Mordia from the Varanasi zone. The revelation sent shockwaves through the local police, leading to immediate chaos. In the ensuing disorder, the corrupt officers were detained and arrested on the spot.

The meticulously planned raid – executed with the precision of a spy thriller – had been so covert that the Ballia police had no inkling of the operation. The news of this dramatic intervention quickly spread, creating a stir among police forces across surrounding districts. The operation, executed with the flair of a cinematic plot, involved reconnaissance, a disguise, and a decisive action.

Indian Masterminds spoke with DIG Vaibhav Krishna, a 2010 batch IPS officer, to gain insights into this high-stakes operation.

Vaibhav Krishna, IPS

THE PLOT

The Azamgarh division is one of the 18 administrative divisions of Uttar Pradesh, comprising the districts of Mau, Ballia, and Azamgarh. Ballia district, located on the border between Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, had recently been plagued by extortion at the Bharouli intersection and within the Narhi police station area and Korantadih outpost. However, this extortion was not the work of criminals or gangs but rather carried out by the police themselves.

Despite the senior officers’ awareness of the ongoing corruption, no action had been taken. Upon learning of the situation, DIG Vaibhav Krishna took it upon himself to gather concrete evidence and promptly informed ADG Piyush Mordia of the unfolding scandal.

Narhi Thana

THE PLANNING

Preparations for this operation had been underway for several days. Once the extent of the corruption was revealed, the officers swiftly moved into action.

They embarked on a meticulous reconnaissance mission, gathering detailed evidence on the extortion routes, the methods employed, and the amounts being collected.

“We first conducted a thorough reconnaissance, meticulously gathering evidence on the extortion routes, the methods used, and the amounts collected,” explained DIG Vaibhav Krishna. “With this information in hand, we devised a detailed and foolproof plan.”

Under the plan, DIG and ADG would personally board a truck, disguised as Khalasis. The accompanying police team would remain at a strategic distance, prepared to intervene if anything deviated from the planned operation. This setup ensured that any unexpected developments could be swiftly managed.

THE EXECUTION

Following the meticulous planning, a 24-member police team, led by both officers, conducted a covert raid. The entire operation was kept secret, with even the SP of Ballia, Dev Ranjan Verma, an IPS officer of the 2011 batch, remaining unaware. After executing the plan and exposing the extortion racket, the officers arrived at the Korantadih police outpost during the night. This post is located just before the Bharouli intersection, where extortion was also taking place.

Upon witnessing the senior officers’ presence and recognizing the gravity of the situation, the corrupt policemen fled the station.

Simultaneously, a major crackdown unfolded as the team apprehended four officers caught in the act of extortion at the Korantadih police station, which has been temporarily suspended in light of the scandal. Among those arrested were Constable Haridayal Singh from Narhi and Constable Satish from Korantadih. In a sweeping operation, authorities also took into custody 16 brokers linked to the extortion network, unraveling a complex web of corruption.

“We are pursuing all necessary legal actions in this matter and are committed to preventing such incidents in the future. The police force will be revitalized, and a stern warning has been issued to ensure that this does not happen again,” DIG Vaibhav Krishna told Indian Masterminds. 

Police escorting a broker after arresting him during the raid

ACTION 

In response to the incident, the government has taken action by removing the SP and ASP of Ballia, placing both officers on indefinite leave. The police have registered cases against 23 individuals, including the Station Officer of Narhi, the outpost in charge of Korantadih, five constables, and 16 brokers. 

DIG Azamgarh’s PRO, Sushil Kumar, has officially filed this case at Narhi police station.

The investigation revealed that approximately 1,000 trucks pass through this border daily. It has emerged that the Narhi police station was involved in an illicit extortion scheme, amassing around Rs 1.50 crore per month. The DIG has confirmed that each truck was subjected to an illegal fee of Rs 500.

When asked how such a large extortion racket had persisted unnoticed by senior officers, DIG Vaibhav Krishna responded, “An inquiry has been initiated. We will take appropriate action based on the findings. No one will be spared.”

DIG Vaibhav Krishna speaking to the media after exposing the extortion racket at Narhi Police Thana

Indian Masterminds Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Related Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
NEWS
PESB
PESB Opens Applications for Director Posts in NHPC and CONCOR; Apply by November 11
CBI
2 IPS Officers Appointed as SPs in CBI on 5-Year Central Deputation – Know Their Profiles
WhatsApp Image 2025-10-21 at 2.07
Govardhan Puja: CM Mohan Yadav Performs Puja at Tilkeshwar Temple, Reiterates Commitment to Farmers & Cow Welfare
Pushkar Singh Dhami Cow
Govardhan Puja in Uttarakhand: CM Pushkar Singh Dhami Highlights Cow Conservation as Key to Culture and Self-Reliance
Gujarat News
From Temple to Policy: Gujarat CM’s New Year Message Blends Tradition with Self-Reliant Growth
Vishnu Deo Sai CM
Chhattisgarh Lights Up with Development: CM Vishnu Deo Sai Celebrates Diwali at Gurudham, Announces Rs. 1.58 Crore Revamp Plan
Lucknow parks development
Lucknow’s Green Makeover: LDA to Revamp 50 Parks with Rs. 150 Crore Urban Eco-Development Plan
Yogi Adityanath Ayodhya visit in Diwali
Yogi Government’s Bold Move: Satellite 'Invest UP' Offices in 5 Metro Cities to Boost National & Global Investments in Uttar Pradesh
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
WhatsApp Image 2025-10-19 at 12.23
UPSC Journey Should Be Enjoyable, Not Cumbersome
WhatsApp Image 2025-10-16 at 15.16
The Many Facets of Former IRS Officer and Author, Giselle Mehta | Video Interview
IDES Saquib Alam
Beyond IAS and IPS: The Inspiring Work of an IDES officer | Video Interview 
ADVERTISEMENT
UPSC Stories
IAS Rupal Rana UPSC
How Rupal Rana Cracked UPSC CSE 2023 with AIR 26 After Four Attempts
UPSC Topper Rupal Rana secured AIR 26 in 2023 after four attempts. Learn her preparation strategy, booklist,...
Ankita Parashar RAS 2023
4 Attempts, 1 Dream, 0 Excuses: Meet RAS Topper Ankita Parashar, Who Fulfilled a Daughter’s Promise & Secured Rank 2 | Exclusive Interview
Ankita Parashar, a teacher-turned-officer from Pushkar, fulfilled her late father’s dream by securing...
Kushal Chaudhary RAS
From Lab Assistant’s Grit to Rajasthan Topper: How Kushal Chaudhary Topped RAS 2023 with Self-Study | Preparation, Strategy & Interview
Kushal Chaudhary, a farmer’s son and lab assistant from Ajmer, topped RAS 2023 through self-study, overcoming...
Social Media
IFS Parveen Kaswan
Heartbreak by the River: 15-Day-Old Elephant Calf Rejected by Mother, Rescued by IFS Parveen Kaswan and His Team
Jaldapra, West Bengal: In a moving incident that tugs at the heart, a 15-day-old elephant calf was rescued...
Ashwini Bhide IAS and Anand Mahindra
Who Is IAS Ashwini Bhide, Hailed as a Role Model for Mumbai Metro Transformation by Anand Mahindra?
From heritage to high-tech: Bhide’s leadership in Metro Line 3 earns public praise and admiration
World Rhino Day India
On World Rhino Day, IFS Officer Parveen Kaswan Shares Rare Insights - India Now Hosts 80% of the World’s One-Horned Rhinos
September 22 Marks Global Call for Rhino Conservation; India Holds 80% of World’s Greater One-Horned...
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Latest
PESB
PESB Opens Applications for Director Posts in NHPC and CONCOR; Apply by November 11
CBI
2 IPS Officers Appointed as SPs in CBI on 5-Year Central Deputation – Know Their Profiles
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
WhatsApp Image 2025-10-19 at 12.23
WhatsApp Image 2025-10-16 at 15.16
IDES Saquib Alam
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT