E-Challan to Auto Rickshaw parked at home in Ludhiana.

E-Challan to Auto Rickshaw parked at home in Ludhiana, sent by Hoshiarpur RTO: Fined for not wearing a Seat Belt; Owner says – Number plate in the photo is different.

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For months, the Hoshiarpur RTO has issued a challan to a Ludhiana autorickshaw parked at a residence, punishing the owner for failing to use a seat belt. This issue has brought into question the RTOs’ accountability as well as the technical mistakes that arise when technology is used.

Amarjit, the owner of the vehicle, claims that the license plate on the challan differs from the one on his autorickshaw. “My auto rickshaw has a high-security number plate,” he said. Regarding this, he had complained to the RTO, but he never heard back. The question now is if there is a serious problem with the system or if this is merely a technical issue.

The RTO said, “Our cameras are fast and do not spare rule-breakers,” when Amarjit brought up the issue with them.

But the question is: Is there a flaw in the system that turns even parked cars into criminals, or are the cameras so quick that they can recognise and send a challan to a car with a number plate from another city?

According to Amarjit, the RTO made this error. Despite the fact that autorickshaws lack seat belts, a challan has been issued. He begged for justice and called on the Transport Minister and other high-ranking authorities to step in.

RTO’s Immediate Cause or Negligence
The original auto rickshaw had a high-security number plate, but the vehicle in the challan picture does not. The challan does not include the name, post, or identification of the official who issued it. It is unclear to the RTO whether or not the autorickshaw is equipped with seat belts.

What is said by RTO Hoshiarpur?
According to RTO office staff, the cameras capture rule breakers wherever the car is parked, which is an attempt to lessen their culpability. The officials did not, however, specify whether they had examined the identifying system or how to cancel the challan in the event that an error had been made. Although technology was supposed to enforce norms rigorously, it is now raising concerns about the average man’s respect and financial security. A faulty challan can seriously damage the lives of many people, so it is now imperative that the Transport Department investigate the situation in a transparent and timely manner and provide assistance to both the victim and the guilty.