Nagpur: The post of addl director general of police for economic offences was created in June this year following concerns voiced by chief minister Devendra Fadnavis over the rising white collar crimes and his desire to curb them. The officer, empowered by an standing order, can probe cases of frauds involving up to Rs100 crore.Having created the post for attaining uniformity and consistency, the home department has also posted senior IPS officer Prabhat Kumar as Addl DG. Kumar, known for his strict approach, has started meeting officers of different units investigating economic frauds. Economic Offence Wing (EOW) of entire state, except Mumbai, has been placed under him. Even EOW wing of State CID would be under the new Addl DG. The government has also retained Kumar’s earlier charge as IG, State law and order, even after his elevation to higher rank.Kumar, an officer of 1993 batch, has been empowered to probe cases above Rs10 crore but less than Rs100 crore. He would be reporting to state DGP and will have to transfer cases above Rs100 crore and those having wider public interest to his immediate superior. All the cases in the state, registered under Maharashtra Protection of Interest of the Depositors’ (MPID) Act, would be transferred to him for supervision. Addl DG EOW’s approval would be required in every arrest or charge sheet to be filed in cases registered under MPID Act and ones where the fraud is above Rs10 crore.Kumar would also be coordinating with his counterparts in other states. He would analyse trends in white collar crimes in the state, as per the standing order. Addl DG is also expected to collect, collate data. He is expected to create awareness and also organize training for officers engaged in probing such cases. As per the order, Kumar has been empowered to inspect any unit dealing in such cases and also call for records in any investigation pending for six months.The government began strengthening the police units to fight white collar crimes by creating special posts of DySP, Economic offences, in the districts at par with the already existing ACP or DCP in the commissionerates with similar assignment. There was also a move to use knowledge and skills of private financial experts in investigation of white collar crimes.

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