Small act of courage

On saturday 5th Febraury while coming back from gym I realised I had forgot my wallet at office. I stopped at wanowrie junction to decide if I should go to office or just go home. Here a traffic hawaldar stopped me and asked me for my licence. I told him that I have forgotten my wallet at office and dont have a licence. He took my bike keys, I had no way to get the money. Finally after much pleeding he agreed to give me 50 rs to get my wallet from office.

In office I searched for the rto fine laws. I found that you have to pay 300 Rs for driving without licence. I decided that I would rather pay 300rs to goverment and get a receipt than pay 200Rs to the officer.

I browsed more and found a Times of India article "http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/pune/Traffic-dept-cannot-fine-motorists-without-PUC-papers/articleshow/6253890.cms".

It says :-

According to the traffic department, no drives or actions are taken specifically to check driving licences. "One needs to produce one's license only in apparent cases of traffic violation like more than two persons riding on a two-wheeler, signal jumping and so on,"

I was very angry on reading this. The traffic police was trying to rob me of money.

I browsed and got the contact number of traffic incharge of Wanowrie. I called him to the police chowky to help me out with this case.

The traffic incharge was very helpful and heard my case.

He asked the traffic hawaldar why my bike as detained, but he was not able to give any clear explanation.

Realising this, the traffic incharge gave over the bike to me and let me off without any charges.

I knew I had not done any mistake and did not want to pay money for it. I was very happy that I fought for my rights.

Its also good to know that we have honest officers like P.M Kakade (traffice incharge for wanowrie)

Lessons learnt :-

1) Never forget your wallet

2) Know your rights and fight for your rights