It has been a fruitful week for those airing their grievances to Pune City Police against their own. The sort of interactive twitter account acknowledges complaints tagged to the city police and show a fair amount of interest when photographs of errant road users are posted. Almost all photographs that provide circumstantial evidence of road-rules broken warrant a reply with a request for location of offence, and date and time of offence.
So, when Shrikant Sonawane spotted a marked police car parked on a driving lane, obviously, he questioned the practice and tweeted the incident to Pune City Police.
And this how our police park there vehicle. #punepolice #noparkingsence @PuneCityLife #whytrustpolice pic.twitter.com/HfMt2O84WP
— shrikant sonawane (@shri9997) March 24, 2018
On the same day, 24th March, 2018, the cops responded with their usual ‘thanks for information we are informed to concern traffic divisional officer for take a legal action on this vehicle’ tweet.
However, even three days later, no action had been taken. Shrikant Sonawane followed up – ‘It’s been more than three days and still no challan good going pune police. Now I do feel that there is no point in complaining about anything anymore as no one is gonna take any action against it.’ ‘Still no challan is generated.’ This was backed up by a screenshot of the E-Challan service. ‘Looks like they won’t take action on one of their own.’
It's been more than three days and still no challan good going #punepolice. Now I do feel that there is no point in complaining about anything anymore as no one is gonna take any action against it. @PunePolice4U @PuneCityPolice @PuneCityLife #Maharashtra #trafficissue pic.twitter.com/ZsHI7AwaqX
— shrikant sonawane (@shri9997) March 27, 2018
Finally, last evening Pune City Police were back with a response – ‘action taken by PI chaturshrungi sir.’ And this was backed by a screenshot attachment that the errant car had in fact been challan-ed, albeit, 4 days late.
The challans drawn are as follows – Under the category of driving – 134 (6) MMVR / 177 MVA – Using word, figure, drawing , sticker on vehicle (Press, Police, polite,advocate, etc) on non-transport MV. Fine Rs 200. Under the category of parking – 15(2)(v) RRR / 177 MVA – Parking opposite another MV or as obstruction to other vehicle. Fine Rs 200.
But not all public grievances are addressed. Here’s a video of an officer refusing to show his credentials and showing who’s boss.
@PuneCityPolice @nitin_gadkari
Happened with one of my friend today (Kothrud,Pune) where his vehicle was forcefully locked."My car was locked even though I parked at correct location and when I asked for an ICard from police officer, this was his behaviour" pic.twitter.com/x4eyNBKbxD
— Anupam Kamal (@kamalanupam) March 18, 2018
Another tweet pointing out to an officer riding without a helmet was addressed this week.
#IAmSoIndian
That I don't follow traffic rules. And I'm from City traffic Police. (There's city police helmet + Police sticker on bike.) Hope @PuneCityPolice will issue fine /chalan ?? Or rules are only for Public ? pic.twitter.com/LzOaRIT6SF— Rajni patil ? (@indian_patil) March 24, 2018
The challan is drawn under the category of driving – Sec 129 / 177 MVA – Without Helmet. Fine Rs 500.