MP Ch Malla Reddy yet to pay Rs 9,000 fine for traffic violation

Hyderabad: Malkajgiri MP Ch Malla Reddy’s vehicle TS EX 0777 displaying the MP sticker, has eight challans for violating various traffic norms, including driving on the wrong side, over-speeding, zig-zagging and rash driving, and a parking violation. A fine of Rs 8,945 has mounted across all these violations. The statement shows the MP has not paid a single challan, so far.

Two other four-wheelers too, belonging to members of the Legislative Assembly have surfaced with challans for rash driving and unauthorised number plates. The vehicle carrying the sticker of MP TS 08 FE 7272 was caught with six pending challans and a total amount of Rs 7,641 in uncleared dues. A week ago, TS Transport Minister P. Mahender Reddy’s vehicle was challaned for driving on the wrong side. This reckless behaviour by the drivers of politicians and the dues built up through uncleared challans is sending the wrong message to the public.

The vehicle TS 09  EX 0777 is registered under, “Rithwik Projects Private Limited” and was issued three challans by Trimulgherry police for driving on the wrong side and improper use of number plate on April 6, 10, and 14 respectively. The vehicle was spot challaned at Punjagutta junction for zig-zag and reckless driving on February 17 and wrong parking in carriageway on March 5, 2018. 

The MP confirmed that it was his private vehicle with the sticker of Member of Parliament. “My family, including my brothers has around 10 Fortuner vehicles with the vehicle number 0777; I will look into the challans and clear the fine.”

Hyderabad traffic police told this newspaper, “The department does not have the mechanism to check the individual vehicles of elected representatives. In case the vehicle with challans is intercepted, the cops will insist that the owner pays the fine, or if the news is highlighted in the media, the owner is informed to pay the penal amount."