Taking picture of vehicle must before towing

Thursday, April 07, 2011

After getting many complaints against cops demanding bribes with threats of towing away vehicles , Delhi Traffic Police have asked all contractors who provide cranes to the department to come equipped with a digital camera. 

"Starting Friday, it will become mandatory for traffic personnel to take a picture of the vehicle errantly parked before attempting to tow it away. Towing a vehicle without taking a picture will be illegal. This will not just ensure that no bribes are taken by the traffic cops, but also help in keeping proof of the errant vehicle, if required," explained joint commissioner of police (traffic) Satyendra Garg. 

In a new order issued to the dozen-odd private contractors who supply the 58 cranes to Delhi Traffic Police, both the contractor as well as the traffic personnel will become liable if they attempt to tow a vehicle without taking a picture of the vehicle first. Each of the contractors signed the new contract on Monday. 

"It has been found that traffic constables demand bribe in exchange of not towing away an errantly parked vehicle or threaten to tow away a vehicle if not given a bribe even if the vehicle is not flouting any norms. The new order should be able to curb the problem," explained a senior traffic police officer. 

The move comes after a traffic constable Sukhram, posted in East of Kailash area, was caught red-handed taking a bribe after a Facebook user tipped off senior traffic officials of the incident. 

The traffic cop was spotted taking a bribe from a building contractor to stop the towing of a cement mixer in East of Kailash by a citizen who posted the same on the Delhi Traffic Police Facebook page. The corrupt cop was caught red-handed with the bribe of Rs 1000. Cops said the bribe had been recovered and departmental action has been initiated against the corrupt cop and two of his superiors. "While Sukhram was placed under suspension, action was initiated action against the ZO and TI for allowing cement mixers to be there during no-entry timings and not ensuring that cranes work for the right purpose ," explained JCP Garg.

Original news source http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/Taking-picture-of-vehicle-must-before-towing/articleshow/7895494.cms