Police posted at certain check-posts of East Singhbhum district bordering Bengal and Odisha are extorting money from travellers entering the state in the name of the e-pass system that was introduced during the lockdown for inter-state travel.

The e-Pass could be made through an online portal. However, the system of showing it at check-posts was discontinued by the end of August.

Kartar Singh was travelling back to Jamshedpur along with his family in his car from Calcutta. They had to stop at Jamsolaghat check-post where policemen demanded that he produce an e-pass on Friday. He was allowed to cross the check-post only after he paid up.

"I paid the cops the money as my family was with me and I did not want to create any scene with the cops with my family members seated in the car nearby. But this is not a good practice," observed Singh while talking to The Telegraph Online.

Another commuter, A. Sengupta, who was also returning from Calcutta with his family, was stopped at the Jamsholaghat check-post and asked to show his e-pass. But on questioning the police about the system which has already ceased to exist, he was allowed to go ahead without any more demands.

Sengupta said, "I was in a mood to create a scene with the cops at the Jamsholaghat check-post as they demanded e-Pass, but it was my family that came in the way. The cops posted there are just taking undue advantage of the commuters who are accompanied with their families."

Two-wheelers are also made to pay money while entering the state.

East Singhbhum deputy commissioner Suraj Kumar said there was no need to show e-pass to any policeman at any check-post as the system has already been discontinued. He pointed out that the system of e-pass was still prevalent, but for foreigners only.

"The e-pass system is not in use now and it is only applicable to foreigners only. But even if any policeman or other government official is demanding commuters to show the e-Pass then it is illegal. I will get the matter checked as it is a serious thing to happen," said the deputy commissioner to The Telegraph Online.