BENGALURU: Nearly a month after Express reported about the bizarre case of Pune-based IT professional Alok Hiriyur being slapped with a challan by the Bengaluru Traffic Police, they’ve done it yet again.
Alok, who relocated from Bengaluru to Pune in May 2016, was issued a fresh challan for jumping a traffic signal at Chennamma Circle on December 24.
When Alok checked evidence for violation on the Bengaluru Traffic Police website, it said, “Evidence could not be published for this particular notice. Evidence is available only for the violations captured from traffic surveillance cameras.” In September, Alok received a challan from Bengaluru traffic police for two violations -- riding without helmet and jumping traffic signal. “It’s surprising and shocking”, an agitated Alok told Express.
“It’s unfortunate that motorists are being slapped with fines for offences they never committed. When I first registered a complaint, police then reversed the challan and promised that this will not repeat. But it has happened again. I strongly suspect that someone is misusing the registration number of my vehicle. I am now worried about the consequences. I want police to take action against the violators,” Alok said.
Waseem Memon of Drive Without Borders movement, who has received several such complaints, said, “It seems there is an informal gang operating in the city using fake numbers. If a miscreant is using a fake number, then the original owner will be in serious trouble. Police should register a case against those who are using fake numbers.”
Bengaluru traffic police are increasingly dependent on CCTV cameras to book traffic offenders. In 2015, more than 40 per cent cases booked by them were by using CCTV cameras. This has increased to 53 per cent in 2016.
Traffic police officials say errors in identifying the registration number through CCTV cameras and fake number plates contribute to this problem. When contacted, a senior traffic police official said they will look into the complaints of motorists being slapped with fines for offences they never committed. “Motorists who received challans for violating traffic rules can cross-check with us,” he said
City traffic police have recently uploaded a list of 500 vehicles which have multiple cases pending (41 violations to 195 violations) on its website. Officials say many motorists who have figured in the list, have paid the dues.