Man who helped strangers during Mumbai rain fined
Gave Lift To 3 People In His Car, Fined ₹1,500
George Mendonca & Swati Deshpande TNN
Mumbai: 27.06.2018
A 32-year-old good Samaritan who offered lift to three strangers stuck in the incessant Mumbai rain was rewarded — with a fine of ₹1,500 and his driving licence impounded. But help has reached Nitin Nair and the Rabale traffic police unit constable been transferred to the administration section for “wrong application of law".
The Vashi police station inspector (administration) has also been directed to conduct a preliminary inquiry into the incident.
The June 18 incident came to light when Navi Mumbai resident Nair posted on social media how he was fined as constable Ajit Patil issued him a challan when he offered lift to three strangers, including a senior citizen, in Airoli during heavy rain. The constable claimed it was illegal to transport strangers in a private vehicle without T-permit.
The Section 66(1) of the Motor Vehicles Act requires a permit for vehicles to be used for ferrying people. As Nair accepted his mistake, the court confirmed his traffic rule violation.
Responding to TOI on Facebook, Nair said, “I am a common man. We generally try to get out of such situation as soon as possible. I did not want to get into a court case loop. Also, I wrote that post just to make car drivers aware of such law so that they don’t get into trouble like me or have to go through such pathetic experience.”
The traffic cop’s action has left left citizens speechless and lawyers perplexed at a “clearly wrong application of law.” Lawyers said it may be time for lawmakers to even revamp the statute book to remove dead laws.
“The applications of certain laws like this one have become redundant with social norms changing,” said advocate Mihir Gheewala. “In times where pooling of cars is encouraged by government itself as it is become a requirement of modern living, such a narrow construct of the section is uncalled for,” he added.
Another lawyer Ashwin Thool said mechanical application of the law often causes severe injustice to innocent citizens. “Section 66 (1) bars the use of a vehicle for a commercial purpose without a valid permit. In fact Section 192 exempts activities carried out by good samaritans in events of distress. To mechanically slap a fine on a citizen who volunteered aid to distressed citizens reflects very poorly on the police and is counterproductive as it dissuades citizens from helping each other.”
Gave Lift To 3 People In His Car, Fined ₹1,500
George Mendonca & Swati Deshpande TNN
Mumbai: 27.06.2018
A 32-year-old good Samaritan who offered lift to three strangers stuck in the incessant Mumbai rain was rewarded — with a fine of ₹1,500 and his driving licence impounded. But help has reached Nitin Nair and the Rabale traffic police unit constable been transferred to the administration section for “wrong application of law".
The Vashi police station inspector (administration) has also been directed to conduct a preliminary inquiry into the incident.
The June 18 incident came to light when Navi Mumbai resident Nair posted on social media how he was fined as constable Ajit Patil issued him a challan when he offered lift to three strangers, including a senior citizen, in Airoli during heavy rain. The constable claimed it was illegal to transport strangers in a private vehicle without T-permit.
The Section 66(1) of the Motor Vehicles Act requires a permit for vehicles to be used for ferrying people. As Nair accepted his mistake, the court confirmed his traffic rule violation.
Responding to TOI on Facebook, Nair said, “I am a common man. We generally try to get out of such situation as soon as possible. I did not want to get into a court case loop. Also, I wrote that post just to make car drivers aware of such law so that they don’t get into trouble like me or have to go through such pathetic experience.”
The traffic cop’s action has left left citizens speechless and lawyers perplexed at a “clearly wrong application of law.” Lawyers said it may be time for lawmakers to even revamp the statute book to remove dead laws.
“The applications of certain laws like this one have become redundant with social norms changing,” said advocate Mihir Gheewala. “In times where pooling of cars is encouraged by government itself as it is become a requirement of modern living, such a narrow construct of the section is uncalled for,” he added.
Another lawyer Ashwin Thool said mechanical application of the law often causes severe injustice to innocent citizens. “Section 66 (1) bars the use of a vehicle for a commercial purpose without a valid permit. In fact Section 192 exempts activities carried out by good samaritans in events of distress. To mechanically slap a fine on a citizen who volunteered aid to distressed citizens reflects very poorly on the police and is counterproductive as it dissuades citizens from helping each other.”
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