A journalist in Uttar Pradesh, India, is currently embroiled in a bizarre legal battle after receiving a ₹1,000 fine for not wearing a helmet while driving his car. The incident occurred nine months ago when Tushar Saxena was issued the fine in Noida’s Gautam Buddh Nagar, a city located 188 km from his hometown of Rampur. Saxena maintains that he has never driven his car to the NCR area and is adamant that the fine is a clerical error.
Saxena initially dismissed the fine as a mistake but received follow-up emails and messages urging him to settle the matter. Concerned, he contacted the police who informed him that he would need to appear in court if he did not pay the fine. He has since purchased his Hyundai car in March of the previous year and is currently seeking dismissal of the case from Noida authorities.
Saxena, quoted by NDTV, stated, “The challan was issued on November 9, 2023. If you are violating traffic rules, then it is common to receive a fine but that is not my case. I have never driven my car to the NCR area. And if there’s any rule that says we have to wear a helmet inside a car, then the authorities must give this to me in writing.”
This case is not an isolated incident. In June 2023, Shailja Chaudhary, a government school teacher residing in Greater Noida’s Zeta-1, received a similar ₹1,000 fine for allegedly driving without a helmet in Noida’s Hoshiyarpur area. Chaudhary, who doesn’t own a motorcycle, was initially baffled by the fine. She received an electronic challan with a picture of a motorcycle and a fine issued under her car’s registration number. Chaudhary believes a relative may have unknowingly broken traffic rules while driving her car.
These incidents raise concerns about the accuracy of traffic enforcement in Gautam Buddh Nagar. The issuing of fines for non-existent violations highlights a need for stricter protocols to ensure the correct identification of violators and the prevention of wrongful accusations. Saxena’s case, along with Chaudhary’s experience, highlights the importance of due diligence and fairness in the application of traffic laws.
