Delhi: SDM's vehicle challaned

The official car of Punjabi Bagh sub-divisional magistrate (SDM) Santosh Kumar was challaned today for not having pollution under control (PUC) certificate issued by the transport department, an official said today.
However, Kumar alleged his car was challaned as he had arrested five officials of the transport department for having "unaccounted" money while on duty on the intervening night of October 14 and October 15.
The challan was issued this morning in west Delhi's Janakpuri area when the SDM was going in his official car, owned by a private vendor.
"When the car was stopped, it was found that the driver did not have a valid licence. He also failed to produce the vehicle papers on the spot following which the car was impounded," said a transport department official, who did not wish to be named.

The official said that when the papers were produced later, the PUC certificate was not available and in view of this, the vehicle was challaned for Rs 1,000.
The SDM said the car was challened as he had taken action against five officials of the transport department.

"On the intervening night of October 14 and October 15, I found unaccounted amount of Rs 20,200 from the possession of five transport department officials. When I enquired about it, they could not give satisfactory reply. I found only two challans each of Rs 100," Kumar told PTI.
He said that under Section 44 of the CrPC, a magistrate has power to arrest anyone when any offence is committed in his or her presence.

"Therefore, I handed over five officials to Mundka police station after recording their statement," the SDM said.