Traffic chief fines cop for riding bike without helmet

NEW DELHI: How often do we see traffic constables who impose fines on us for violating rules getting caught for the same offence?

A traffic constable openly flouting traffic rules was caught on tape by none other than the Delhi Police traffic chief himself.

On Monday, as a traffic constable from south Delhi circle zoomed past Rao Tula Ram Marg — with his helmet merely balanced on his shoulder as an ornament — he had no idea that his act was being recorded by special commissioner of police (traffic) Muktesh Chander.

“I was in my private vehicle when I saw two traffic officials who were in their uniforms, riding the department’s motorcycle. The constable riding pillion had no helmet while the driver had put his helmet on his shoulder. I asked my driver to match their speed and recorded them on my mobile phone,” Chander said.

After reaching his office at the police headquarters at ITO, Chander immediately called the traffic in-charge of the circle.

“I called the officer-in-charge who admitted the motorcycle was from his circle. But before I could say anything further, the officer said his constable riding the bike was not riding without a helmet. I had not even mentioned the cause of the call and he started giving me all kinds of explanations,” Chander added.

The next day, the constable riding the motorcycle was finally asked to pay a fine of ` 100 - the challan amount prescribed under the Motor Vehicles Act 1988 for riding without a helmet.