Piqued by the trolling he had to undergo for pillion-riding without helmet, Principal Secretary, Municipal Administration and Urban Development, Arvind Kumar on Tuesday produced a traffic receipt, clarifying that he had paid the e-challan voluntarily for violation of rule.
The receipt, posted by Mr.Arvind Kumar on his Twitter account, showed payment of ₹135 on January 28.Mr. Arvind Kumar rode pillion on MP Asaduddin Owaisi’s bike on January 25, during inspection of works conducted in Old City.
Both Mr. Owaisi and Mr. Arvind Kumar had to face heat from the Twitterati who were stung by the photograph posted on the latter’s account. Scores of comments termed it an act of privilege, as no case was booked against them.
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Mr. Arvind Kumar tried to justify the act, saying it was only for a small stretch where a four-wheeler could not go, but it cut no ice.
In response to the trolling, Mr.Arvind Kumar produced a receipt confirming payment of penalty, and said no challan was issued to him, and the payment was voluntary.
“And here’s the receipt of traffic fee paid online voluntarily for helmetless riding on Jan 25, 2019, while reviewing protection works of Mir Alam Tank #Hyderabad
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Clarifying - no challan was issued & I paid the reqd challan fee duly ascertaining the same for helmetless riding,” the post read.
‘Why not Owaisi?’
While quite a few praised him for the act, many wondered why he, and not Mr. Owisi, was paying the penalty. “Plz make sure one penalty point is added to your driving license.... Just as we get ;) ....btw, great example to show that no one is above law. Thanks sir,” tweeted Srikanth Manchukonda.
“What is the logic here, the vehicle doesn’t belong to you, you are not driving but sitting behind the violator who happens to be lawmaker. Your bailing out the violator is not only appeasement but demonstrates the nexus. Your wish to get some brownie points is noted,” posted one more twitter user, Rahaf.
The Hyderabad Traffic Police tweeted Section 129 of the MV Act in the comments section, which mandates headgear for riding in public places.