Bizarre! Auto Rickshaw Driver In Odisha 'Fined For Not Wearing Helmet'

Sonepur: Bizarre as it may sound, but an auto driver was fined in Sonepur for not wearing a helmet.

As per reports, one Ram Banchhor of Nilabandhapara in Bargarh, who owns an auto rickshaw bearing registration number of OR-17H-5743 was fined Rs 6,000 by Sonepur RTO for not wearing a helmet and using mobile phone while driving.

What is even more surprising is the fact that Ram alleged he never went to Sonepur district. According to Ram, he only operates in Bargarh and uses his vehicle to transport goods within Bargarh district limits and never went to Sonepur district.

“I came to know about this fine only after I went to Bargarh RTO to renew the fitness certificate of my auto rickshaw. The officials said that I can’t renew unless I pay the fines first,” said a bewildered Ram.

“I never went to Sonepur, but still they penalised me for not wearing a helmet. Because of this I am not being able to renew the fitness certificate of my vehicle,” added Ram.

This is not the first instance, but there have been other cases where motorists have alleged that they have been penalised unduly. Recently on December 7, a truck driver in Bargarh district was fined by the transport department for not wearing a helmet.