A 54-year-old Mumbai police constable Sunil Bhagwantrao Toke who has been fighting against the rampant corruption in the police department is demanding permission to kill himself.

In his 35 years of service to the country, Toke has had 12 transfers. Even after that, father to three children, Toke remains undeterred.

“I don’t care about any transfer. I find all my transfers as an opportunity to expose corruption in a new place. I know corruption is everywhere and I will keep reporting it,” said Mr. Toke while talking to The Logical Indian.

In January 2017, Sunil Toke filed a writ petition in the Bombay High Court, alleging the prevailing corruption in the city police traffic division. To substantiate his allegations, Suhil Toke also submitted videos to the Bombay high court.

Sunil Toke told The Logical Indian that there have been a lot of death threats to him as he exposes corruption. He has also asserted that the officials that are involved in the case do not directly trouble him, but through their close associates, they malign him on several events.

Stating the challenges faced by the police department, he added, that the officials, in an aim to trouble him have put his name in forged cases. “I am tired of all this; my health is also deteriorating because of all this. It is better if they accept my resignation or they let me kill myself.” said an agitated Toke.

After fighting the legal battle for many years, Last month, Sunil Toke wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President Ramnath Kovind and Maharashtra Chief Minister, Devendra Fadnavis to take strong measures in the matter. In his letter, he has also said that, if the government fails to take any stringent action within 15 days, he along with his wife will commit suicide.

Toke said, “I earn not more than 18,000 rupees per month and every now and then I have to go to the court regarding the PIL hearing. Even after exposing the corruption in the system and good for the country. I feel like I have done something wrong.”

A native of a small village near Pune, Sunil with his wife and children now live in a ‘chawl’ in Mumbai. Toke, currently, is serving as a constable in local arms department in Worli police station, Mumbai.

The Logical Indian also spoke to the 46-year-old Suchita Toke, wife of Sunil Toke, who is proud of her husband. “I have always been on his side, and now also I will stand by him as he is fighting for a good cause,” says Suchita. My children and bahu (daughter in law) are also together in this battle with him.

The Logical Indian Take

It is disheartening to see that efforts to eradicate corruption are losing the battle as the government stands by. The courage shown by Toke over so many years, and after 12 transfer and possibly, even harassment from the higher-ups, deserves to be noticed and lauded. We appeal to the Maharashtra government that they should launch a thorough investigation into the matter and frame rules to protect the whistle-blowers. If no-one comes out in support of the people who are actually trying to better our society, then how can we even dream of a corruption-free India.