Bengaluru: Month later, student fails to get seized driving licence back

BENGALURU: Helping a friend after his car was clamped for being parked in a no parking zone proved costly for Rupal Gowda. Rupal, who had produced his original DL as his friend was carrying only a copy of the DL, has been making repeated visits to the Koramangala Road Transport Office for the last one month to get his licence back, but to no avail.

Rupal told Deccan Chronicle that he produced his original DL on behalf of his friend, whose car was found in a no parking zone in Jayanagar around 5 pm on August 17. Rupal and his friend had gone to Jayanagar 7th Block and had parked the car near the police station. As the two returned, they found the clamp on the car.

Rupal said, “We approached the traffic policeman and he made us run around from one inspector to another. Finally, one of the inspectors asked us for our driving licence. My friend provided him with a laminated copy of his DL, but it was turned down by the inspector who demanded an original DL. As I was carrying my original DL, I handed it over to him and he made us wait for over an hour. When he returned, he told us that the DL will be suspended for two weeks and I will get it back at the RTO in which it was registered. He did not inform us about the procedure before taking my DL. When I questioned him why, he said, ‘Your DL feels like going for a trip to the RTO, that’s why!’ After paying Rs 600 as fine and Rs 500 for the previous violations, he released the car and gave me the slip. I was told to collect my DL from the RTO after two weeks.”

But it has been more than a month, and Rupal is still making rounds to the Kormanagala RTO at the BDA complex. “I have already visited the RTO six times and the only response from the officials is that it has not arrived. I am a student and need a vehicle to commute between college and home. How can I ride or drive when my DL has been impounded,” he asked.

A senior police officer said that though it is not necessary to carry the original DL and the duplicate copy can be considered, the vehicle will be seized and will be released only after the offender produces the original DL. “Once the licence is seized it is sent to the RTO for suspension. The rider/driver will have to approach the RTO in this case,” he said.

When DC reported the matter to the station inspector, Jayanagar traffic police, he said he would look into the matter. Meanwhile, the complainant, who approached the Jayanagar traffic police station on Friday evening, told Deccan Chronicle that the traffic police officer who had seized the DL had not sent it for suspension and had allegedly neglected it.

A senior police officer said that though it is not necessary to carry the original DL and the duplicate copy can be considered, the vehicle will be seized and will be released only after the offender produces the original DL.