MVD officer suspended for imposing fine on vehicle engaged in flood relief operations

PATHANAMTHITTA: An officer of the Motor Vehicles Department (MVD) has been suspended for fining a vehicle that had arrived for flood relief operations. The action was taken against Laiju of the Adoor MVD squad. Aranmula MLA Abin Varkey had complained to the transport minister about the fine, following which the action was taken. A fine of Rs 5,200 was imposed on the vehicle for the use of additional decorative lights at the front of the jeep. The Youth Congress had paid the fine following the directions of the MLA.

The owner of the vehicle is a native of Mezhuveli. Youth Congress workers said the off-road vehicle was brought to Aranmula to help evacuate the flood victims to safe locations. However, officials clarified that the fine was imposed in Adoor, not during the relief operations in Aranmula. After news of the fine became public, criticism arose from several quarters. The chief minister intervened directly in the matter and spoke to the vehicle owner over the phone.

This vehicle was used to evacuate several people stranded in floodwaters to safer locations. Amidst the rescue operations, the vehicle developed a mechanical problem and was towed to Adoor and parked there. The MVD officials then clicked a photo of the vehicle and imposed a fine. The fine was imposed on the grounds that two lights fitted to the vehicle were dangerous and that it did not have a valid pollution certificate. However, none of the vehicle owners were present at the location where the vehicle had been parked in Adoor.