The State police have embarked on a task of verifying the antecedents of taxi drivers following incidents of crime allegedly committed by taxi drivers across the nation.
The Director General of Police has issued a circular, dated January 2, to all Commissioners of Police and Superintendents of Police in the State to collect personal details of the taxi drivers, including criminal background, if any, from the Regional Transport Officers and the taxi operators.
A police officer said details of the first driving licence were being scrutinised. “We check whether the licence-holder is still staying in the same address mentioned in the licence. If not, we verify whether he has incorporated the change of address in his licence,” the officer said. Besides, the police checked whether the licence-holder had got any criminal background and connection with antisocial elements or gangsters.
Even as the verification was under way, the officials had come across a few drivers who had criminal background, sources also added.
The police had also been instructed to convey the criminal antecedents of drivers reported in police stations outside his hometown to the police station under which he resided.
A very few persons came under the category of driver-cum-owners of taxis and maxi-cabs.
A large number of them were driving vehicles of tour operators, call taxi operators and cab operators, sources said.
The compilation of the data was expected to be completed by January-end.
Ordinary Taxi 4164
Motor Cab - State Permit 100182; All India Permit 14605
Maxi Cab - State Permit 72368; All India Permit 7597
