A mistake in issuing an e-challan has raised concerns about the efficiency of the transport and traffic departments.
Nitin Chinchmalatpure, a resident of Kharbi, East Nagpur, was shocked to receive an e-challan for a traffic violation involving a vehicle he does not own. The ₹2,000 challan was issued on February 11, 2025, by Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Abhudulshkur Momin for overspeeding on the Samruddhi Expressway, Jalna Road.
According to reports, the violation was linked to a Hyundai car with registration number MH31-DC 8098. However, the e-challan was mistakenly sent to a different vehicle owner in Nagpur. While the registration number matched, the recipient owned a blue Maruti Alto, not the Hyundai captured in the challan images.
The vehicle owner was surprised to receive the notice and questioned how his car, which had never been to Jalna, could be fined for a violation there. He approached the traffic department at Mitha Neem Dargah, Civil Lines, seeking a resolution.
Instead of resolving the issue, traffic officials shifted the blame to the Regional Transport Office (RTO), stating that the mistake was not theirs. They advised the complainant to file an appeal to cancel the challan, adding to his frustration and inconvenience.
Chinchmalatpure pointed out that despite the mandatory use of high-security registration plates (HSRP), such errors persist, leading to wrongful penalties for innocent vehicle owners. He emphasized the need for greater accuracy in issuing e-challans and stricter accountability among authorities. “Such negligence not only causes financial and mental distress to the public but also undermines trust in the system,” he said.
Vilas Thosar of Akhil Bharatiya Grahak Panchayat (ABGP) has demanded an investigation and corrective measures to prevent such errors in the future.
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