Maharashtra Traffic Police — Illegal towing and echallan

E- Challan no: PMCCM[protected]
Photo and reason both are absurd.

Today around 12.30pm at Bank of Maharashtra, Dangechowk, Pune I got down of my bike to access atm when an elder uncle called and told me to move the bike ahead as the NO parking board was broken and it wasn’t even visible. As soon as I turned and started moving my bike, as the towtruck rushed in and asked me to leave my bike. I insisted that I’m already pushing it, the guy told me no Madam is calling you, just go and show her your documents. I still was pushing my bike and he again stopped me and asked me to first go and show the documents and he said, “Nai madam, nai uchalnar, Ladies chi gaadi nai uchlat” (No maam we won’t lift your bike, we don’t trouble ladies) So I felt ok I’ll first talk to the Female traffic officer incharge and show the documents and then come back and take my bike ahead. Until I was showing her the documents(which she was least interested in checking) they already towed it into the truck and started telling me to pay Rs. 1236 here itself or then come to the police station. I was still talking and the truck left.

I had to walk for 1.5kms, wait there for more than 1 hour only to pay Rs. 500 online e-challan and Rs.236 in cash as TOWING CHARGES.
The people there asked me to pay Rs.250 as towing charges and take my bike. Many people agreed to this and already left. The reason why I couldn’t convince my heart to do it was the SENSE OF HELPLESSNESS I felt during those 2 hours. The SENSE OF BEING CHEATED was so strong that I couldn’t just leave. So I ended up paying Rs. 736 (EXTORTION) and stay firm on my pride of illegal towing.
The behaviour of the people including the female officer wasn’t helpful in anyway and they weren’t even interested in talking and listening. They weren’t interested in checking my documents. Why all the inconvenience caused to us then? Communication is the least someone can offer.

Wrong’s by me: Trusting the towing guy.

I would urge the department to check the CCTV recording infront of the bank to attest to my testimony above.

PLEASE FIND ATTACHED:
My echallan picture: taken behind the station and not from the site.
Bill of the towing charges (Rs.236)
The broken No Parking board infront of bank.

Conclusion: I’ve paid challans before, all o[censored]s have. But the only difference this time was the feeling of helplessness I felt because I couldn’t come to a solution that I was wrong in any way. Was trusting that guy wrong how told me it’s ok continue to push later, first go talk talk to the officer and show your documents??

I strongly believe that being a public servant should always be in following the SPIRIT OF CONSTITUTION, rather just causing more complications for people.
Incidents like these (feeling wronged) make people lose trust in Law and Order, I would like to believe the force is much more than just this incident.

Thanks you.