Brakes on Punjab cops' kin flouting norms in flashy cars

Aman Sood

Patiala, April 19

The long arm of law seems to have caught up with the kith and kin of police officers using swanky cars and flouting the traffic norms. Taking a dim view of police officers’ sons troubling other commuters by indulging in rash driving and illegally using hooters, black film, halogen lights and beacons on personal vehicles, the ADGP (Traffic) has asked SSPs and commissioners to “ensure strict action against such hooligans” flouting traffic norms.

Will Set own house in order first

Following repeated complaints, we have decided to ensure the compliance of traffic norms and it will start by setting our own house in order. — AS Rai, ADGP (traffic)

Move after complaint received from Pathankot

• The move comes after the police received a complaint about the traffic violations from Pathankot
• The ADGP (Traffic) has asked the SSPs and commissioners to ‘ensure strict action against such hooligans’
• Violations include rash driving, use of hooters, black film, halogen lights or beacons in personal vehicles

The move comes after the police received a complaint of traffic violations from Pathankot. Sons of police officers, including SPs and DSPs, in Patiala are often seen using blue or red beacons in private vehicles illegally. Recently, the son of a commandant was spotted using a multi-colour light bar atop his private Scorpio and driving recklessly.

In Ludhiana, Amritsar, Mohali, Patiala and Pathankot, wards of senior police officers have been flouting the norms by using black films on private luxury vehicles and even threatening officials on duty, when stopped.

In Patiala, The Tribune found a DSP’s official vehicle having curtains to ensure privacy. The vehicle was also used by his daughter. Also, the schoolgoing son of an SHO was found speeding in an SUV without the registration number and having a covered blue light atop and a police uniform hanging on the back seat.

Information gathered by The Tribune confirmed officials on police checkpoints (mostly ASI or junior-rank officials) found themselves helpless in initiating action against such violators as a majority of the offenders were related to their own senior officers. “Despite a separate traffic wing having DSP and SP-level officers, no one is willing to take action against such violators,” said an ASI-ranked officer with the traffic wing.

In some cases, the luxury vehicles “owned” by relatives of senior officers are “gifted” to them in lieu of some favours.

Following repeated complaints and inability on part of district police wings to act against such violators, ADGP (Traffic) AS Rai has warned of strict action against them.

“We have to apprise you to hold meetings with all officials under your command and ensure they do not violate traffic norms. In case a complaint is received by this office, strict action

will be taken against the officer concerned,” reads a letter to SSPs and commissioners on March 30.

“Relatives or officers themselves are violating the norms, which troubles common residents,” states the letter, a copy of which is in possession of The Tribune. “Following repeated complaints in this regard, we have decided to ensure compliance of traffic norms and it will start by setting our own house in order,” the letter further said.

“After we got a complaint from Pathankot, we have decided to act tough,” said ADGP Traffic AS Rai.

“Any complaint supported by video or photos of such violations on our official ID — adgp.traffic.police@punjab.gov.in — will invite stringent action and explanation from the district police concerned,” said Rai.

A senior official confirmed over 50 such vehicles were flouting the traffic norms in each district. In a majority of cases, vehicles of senior officials posted in the same district used black films and beacons. “We are soon opening a dedicated helpline where such violations will invite a challan. Explanation will be sought from the traffic incharge or the district police head concerned,” said the IPS officer.