| Posted on: 2011-12-22/22:57:29 | India - Fraud & Cyber Crime News | Others/ |
|
|
Identity cards of auto rickshaw drivers in Bhubaneswar have come under scanner following allegations that many of them were forged to befool police. Instead of obtaining authentic identity cards from traffic police, the drivers procured the fake cards, manufactured fraudulently, police said. Cops stumbled upon the alleged fraud during a recent crackdown on the errant auto drivers in the city. Police had seized some identity cards and let off the drivers by asking them to collect the cards after paying fine for rash driving, overloading and violating other road traffic offences. Since very few of the drivers turned up at traffic police station to retrieve the cards, police smelt a rat. "We found a handful of fake identity cards bearing a lot of resemblance with the original ones issued by us. We are trying to find out the real culprits behind this and would arrest them soon," a traffic police officer said. "We are zeroing in on the hideouts where fake cards are manufactured," the officer added. I have no idea of identity cards being forged. If it is true, police should take strict action against the errant auto drivers," said Naba Kishore Mohanty, president of Rajdhani Auto Rickshaw Mahasangha. Sources said most of the manipulation in identity cards was made in the last few months. "The newcomers, mostly anti-socials, resorted to the fake method to avoid police glare. We suspect they faked the transport papers as well," another police officer said. Rash driving apart, a number of auto drivers were arrested recently for their involvement in various criminal activities in the city. Three drivers were arrested for attacking a home guard on duty at CRPF Square last week. Some residents alleged police purposely turned a blind eye to the 'fake' drivers as they got monetary benefits from the drivers. A police officer said it was not possible to scan the authenticity of the cards on busy roads. Sources said police have created a database of nearly 15,000 auto drivers and detailed information about real' drivers is available online. The commissionerate of police had introduced an identity card system for auto drivers and made it mandatory for each driver to wear the card on the neck and hang another card (bigger in size) behind his seat, facing the passengers. The idea was to provide detailed information about the drivers to passengers. Auto drivers have to apply for the card to traffic police after furnishing their license, transport papers and permit license. There are over 17,000 auto rickshaws plying in the city at present. |
| Source: T I | Location : BHUBANESWAR |
