Nagpur police book MP depot manager, travel operators over buses run without valid permits

Sitabuldi police in Nagpur have registered an FIR against Madhya Pradesh bus depot manager Rafiq Tomar and several travel operators. It is alleged that passenger buses were being run without valid permits from a bus stand on Railway Station Road.

The action follows a complaint by Virendra Dubey, president of the Bus Transport Welfare Federation. Police have invoked sections relating to cheating along with the relevant provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act. The case is being investigated by Annapurna Singh, DCP Zone 2.

According to the complaint, a case has been registered against the operators of eight buses for allegedly violating transport rules. The complainant has also alleged that more than 50 other buses may be running without valid permits.

The complaint states that some operators used temporary permits issued for weddings and special events to run regular daily passenger services. It is also alleged that different buses were running with the same registration number and permit.

Such buses have reportedly been seen in Nagpur, Seoni, Dindori and Jabalpur. For this reason, there are demands for a detailed inquiry into the alleged irregularities.

DCP Annapurna Singh visited the MP bus depot herself and is reported to have found several irregularities. A fine has also been imposed on the bus operators.

Tomar is originally from Madhya Pradesh and is a retired employee of the Madhya Pradesh transport department. Police say he is alleged to be still looking after the running of the bus stand.

The complaint also names Thakurdas Gulani, another retired person, and a man identified as Bababhai. Both are accused of managing bus operations on the premises.

The complaint alleges that the people concerned collect money daily from buses operating from the depot, whether or not the state governments concerned receive the fixed revenue.

Police are investigating the allegations, which include suspected use of illegal permits and duplicate registration numbers. The charges against those named have not been proved in court.