Auto-rickshaw driver convicted for acting as tout

A Delhi court has said "several unscrupulous auto and cab drivers" harass and lure flyers at the airport. The court's observation came while convicting an auto-rickshaw driver for acting as a tout and luring passengers at the domestic airport here.

"It is in knowledge of everyone that in airport outside arrival hall several unscrupulous TSR and cab drivers lure passengers to cheap hotel, low fare and other benefits.

"Most of the cases TSRs do not have registration with the pre-paid taxi booth," said Metropolitan Magistrate Pankaj Sharma.

The court's observation came while convicting Vinod Singh, a TSR (three-wheeler scooter rickshaw) driver for the offence of trying to lure and harass people.

The court imposed a fine of Rs.2,500 on Vinod Singh.

According to police, Singh was luring passengers outside the arrival hall by saying that he would charge them less money and also take them sightseeing.

Besides, he tried to forcibly put the baggage of the passengers into his auto despite their saying they did not want to hire his vehicle.

Vinod Singh was arrested Jan 2013 for harassing passengers near the parking zone of a terminal at the domestic airport here.

The court observed that the complainant in the case was a policeman, who was duty-bound to check touts at these places, and rejected the convict's contention that police should not be believed because the investigating officer was the complainant himself.

The court said public persons were generally reluctant to become witnesses and appear before the court, but nowhere does the law prevent a policeman from becoming a complainant or witness.

"A policeman is as competent a witness as any other person, where the testimony of a policeman is reliable and trustworthy and plausible explanation is given by the police for not making any public person a witness, the testimony can be relied upon," the court said.

The order was delivered Monday and released Thursday.