13 November,2011 08:47 AM IST | | Nivedita Dargalkar
A lady scooter rider in Malad pays a fine of Rs 200 almost every day,u00a0 but refuses to follow traffic rules
Sangeeta Mandaliya is a known face with Malad's traffic police. A cloth factory owner, she has a dubious and dangerous track record of being constantly fined for flouting traffic safety norms. In fact, traffic constables are now tired of fining her daily.
Yet, she hasn't learnt her lesson. "Mandaliya just refuses to mend her ways and in turn starts shouting at the constables for catching her," says traffic constable Sandeep Khedekar, who has fined her twice.
Mandaliya paying a fine. Pic/ Mahesh Chafe
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Her misdeeds include carrying goods beyond the permissible capacity on her scooter's footboard, and riding without a helmet. Constable Dynaneshwar Ghuge, who has fined her thrice said, "Mandaliya has a cloth factory in Malad (East) and regularly transports raw materials from Malad station to her factory, carrying huge bags on her foot-board. She carries goods beyond the permissible capacity, leaving her at a serious risk of an accident. She also does not wear a helmet either."
Each time Mandaliya is caught, she pays a fine of Rs. 200 (Rs 100 for riding without a helmet and Rs 100 for carrying goods beyond the permissible limit). Yet, the next day she fearlessly breaks the rules. Sunday MiD DAY spoke to Mandaliya, while she was being fined by constable Ghuge. "Many people carry luggage above the permissible capacity on their scooters and drive without helmets. It's no big deal." When asked why she was risking her life in the bargain, Mandaliya left the spot without answering.
Senior Inspector Vinayak Mulay of Malad traffic police station said, "We do not maintain a record of habitual offenders. Our duty finishes once the fine has been paid by the offender."
According to Additional Commissioner of Police, Traffic, Brijesh Singh, there is no provision in the Motor Vehicle Act for punishing habitual offenders. "The erring offender pays the same fine that is meant to be charged for the breach of the traffic rule each time," he said.
