Lost and fined!

Despite this man's bike being stolen in February, police sent him a notice saying that his vehicle's registration number was noted down for violating traffic rules and he was required to pay a penalty

Despite this man's bike being stolen in February, police sent him a notice saying that his vehicle's registration number was noted down for violating traffic rules and he was required to pay a penalty

The owner of a 150cc motorcycle, which was stolen in February while he was attending a marriage function, has been having sleepless nights, as the thief is using it and continues to break the law. To add to his woes, the traffic police sent him a notice informing that his bike's registration number was noted down for violating traffic rules and he was required to pay a fine.


Not at all fine: Jain received a notice from the traffic police informing
that he was being fined Rs 100 for riding without helmet on Sampige
Road 8th cross junction

Despite bike owner Vicky Jain, who owns an electronic service centre at National Market, filing an FIR immediately after the bike was lifted from the parking lot, the cops have been unable to nab the thief and seize the bike.

How he lost it
Jain had attended a marriage function at Sheesh Mahal in Palace grounds on Valentine's Day and parked his motorcycle at the parking lot. He returned a few hours later to find his bike missing. A search of the area by Jain and the parking lot attendant were futile, following which he rushed to the Sanjay Nagar police station and was redirected to High Grounds police to file a complaint.

Off the radar
The cops flashed a wireless message informing all personnel on the field to keep an eye out for the bike. No reports came in and Jain was asked to revisit the station after four days to collect a copy of the FIR. "I knew that the bike was gone for good, but I was keen to get a copy of the FIR so I could claim insurance," Jain said adding that the police were however reluctant to give him a copy. It was only after a week that the police gave him a copy of the FIR, he claims.

In addition, the hapless victim faced several obstacles when he approached the insurance company. After much explaining about the cops delaying the FIR because they were contemplating on how to handle the case, Jain finally managed to apply for an insurance claim.

Breaking the rules
According to Jain, he received a notice from the traffic police informing that he was being fined Rs 100 for riding without helmet on Sampige Road 8th cross junction, which is very close to the spot from where his bike was stolen. "I rushed to the High Grounds police station informing the cops that the thief was using my bike. This had no effect on the police and they have made no effort to trace it," he said.

Into thin air
After repeated requests by Jain, the cops agreed to check video footage of the violation from the enforcement centre. However, no evidence was recorded and he was informed that a constable at the junction had noted down the registration number and informed the station. "The lax attitude of the officials is causing me to lose hope of ever getting my bike back," he said. Assistant Commissioner of Police Omkaraiah told MiD DAY that the violation notice could be a very vital clue and assured that he would take necessary action to trace the bike and the thief.