9 YO student stranded in car for nearly an hour; Bhubaneswar traffic police face flak

The Commissionerate traffic police in Bhubaneswar has come under criticism following their refusal to accept online payment for traffic fines, demanding cash instead.

As per reports, a recent incident at AG Square allegedly involved a nine-year-old child waiting in a vehicle for nearly an hour after it was stopped due to an alleged prohibited U-turn.

The child’s parent and the driver reportedly attempted to resolve the situation but allegedly found the police insistent on cash payment. The alleged inhumane incident has sparked public debate about the behaviour and adherence to guidelines by law enforcement in the city.

As per reports, the vehicle was coming from Raj Bhavan in Bhubaneswar towards Laxmisagar when it encountered a red traffic signal at AG Square. In a bid to avoid further delay, the driver took a U-turn towards Rajmahal. Subsequently, the vehicle was stopped allegedly breaching regulations and was penalised.

The driver reportedly expressed concerns that the child was hungry and requested the fine to be processed via an electronic challan. Nonetheless, police officials were allegedly resolute in demanding a cash penalty, keeping the driver there until the payment was completed.

The driver reportedly informed about the incident to the child’s mother Dwipanwita Mishra. Subsequently, Mishra tried to reach out to the authorities for an alternative payment method without success as phone calls allegedly went unanswered. 

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Mishra reportedly met Station Officer Akash Rana, pleading for online transfer amid the pressing circumstances. However, it is alleged that the officer refused, stranding them for around 50 minutes.

Ultimately, the fine was reportedly processed using a scanner. Later, Mishra took to her social media account X (earlier known as Twitter) criticising the needless delay which prevented her child from being released sooner.

“My driver informed me that the vehicle has been detained for taking the wrong u-turn. I asked him to give the phone to the concerned police official to discuss the matter or else to ask the official to allow us to have an e-chalan for our mistake. However, the police official didn’t agree to speak with me and accept e-chalan. The official forced the driver to take the vehicle to the police station. The official also ordered a constable to take the vehicle to the police station along with them. My concern is how a constable was allowed to make entry into the vehicle when my little girl is sitting inside alone and her parents are not there,” said Mishra.

“When I reached the traffic police station, I found my daughter sitting alone inside the vehicle and crying. Then I requested the police to allow me to pay my fine online. However, they refused by saying that they have no such facility. How, is it possible that at a place like a police station, which is responsible for the law and order situation, there is no facility for online transaction? What kind of mistake my innocent child did for which she underwent through so much of mental pressure and trauma?” asked Mishra.

In response to the allegations, Police Commissioner S Dev Datta Singh said, “From the very beginning, I have said that police need to be sensitive. I spoke to the mother of the child today. This lack of sensitivity will be addressed. Explanation has been sought from the concerned officials involved in the incident.”