Siliguri, Nov. 6 -- A controversy erupted after a video allegedly showing a Motor Vehicle Inspector (MVI) fleeing the spot following a truck driver's protest over a bribery demand went viral on social media. However, the District Motor Vehicle department denied the allegations of bribery and claimed that the officials were threatened by the truck driver and local miscreants.
According to the department, officials were conducting routine vehicle checks on Thursday night when they spotted a Punjab-registered goods truck on the Bihar More flyover in Bagdogra. The officials alleged that the truck was carrying goods beyond the permissible limit, with some materials protruding outside the vehicle, posing a potential safety hazard. A fine of Rs 20,000 was subsequently imposed.
However, the situation allegedly escalated after the challan was issued.
The department claimed that when the officer reached the flyover near Medical More along NH31, the truck driver confronted them with the help of some local miscreants. They allegedly abused the official, levelled false accusations and threatened to kill him. Therefore, the officer fled from the spot.
Addressing a Press conference at the District Transport Office in Siliguri on Friday, Milton Das, the Regional Transport Officer (RTO) said: "The MVI official did not demand any bribe. The challan was issued strictly in accordance with government rules."
Das further revealed that the truck was been challaned in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar on November 3 while travelling from Delhi. The vehicle reportedly has 43 cases registered against it.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.