Cops see red over cars with unauthorized beacons

Thursday, Jan 06, 2011




Pretensions may not be uncommon in Delhi. But when they take on an official guise, the pretenders are criminals. With several recent cases of criminals using official logos on their cars and red beacon cars – including the most recent one involving two youths with 21 cases of robbery and snatching to their credit in northwest Delhi – Delhi Traffic Police have cracked down on unauthorized cars carrying red beacons and flashers.

On Tuesday and Wednesday alone, 27 people were prosecuted for carrying red beacons in their car without permission. Explained joint commissioner of police (traffic) Satyendra Garg, "We have already prosecuted 27 car owners from all parts of Delhi and will prosecute any vehicles unauthorized to carry the red beacon. No violators will be tolerated and the last two days' prosecutions reflect our resolve."

The drive, launched all over Delhi, is being carried out by over 400 traffic cops. "We have placed two teams each in many intersections in Delhi and are stopping cars to check whether they are authorized to carry the red beacon. The drive is being carried out by teams who are also checking for tinted glasses which takes place between 11am and 5pm," said JCP Garg.

The prosecutions so far include a car belonging to an MP, and those belonging to several MLAs, a transport commissioner of a north Indian state and many zila pramukhs and block presidents, claimed traffic cops. The prosecutions have so far been scattered in all parts of Delhi with no single region appearing to have the major number of unauthorized red beacon cars.

However, the car owners prosecuted don't appear cowed by the move at first, some even arguing that their vehicles are authorized. "We face different problems with different people. Some claim that they have gifted their cars to authorized people while some try to use political muscle in order to have their way. However, traffic cops have the list of authorized people with them so these claims will not be entertained. Strict policing is the only way to deal with the issue," said a traffic police officer.

Red beacon cars with flashers on the top are only allowed for the President of India, Vice-President, Prime Minister, former Presidents and prime ministers, deputy Prime Minister, Chief Justice of India, Speaker of Lok Sabha, Cabinet Ministers of the Union, Judges of the Supreme Court, leaders of Opposition in the Rajya and Lok Sabha, Lieutenant Governor, Chief Minister among others while on duty anywhere in the jurisdiction of the NCT of Delhi. Red beacon without flashers on top is, meanwhile, allowed for Chief Election Commissioner, Comptroller and Auditor General of India among others.

Original news source http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/Cops-see-red-over-cars-with-unauthorized-beacons/articleshow/7226739.cms#ixzz1AET6PTfu