Pune: RTO official suspended for illegally certifying 74 vehicles as fit

The transport department took the action after being criticised by the high court, which has been hearing the matter since 2013

A motor vehicle inspector with the Pune Regional Transport Office (RTO) has been suspended after the transport department found him guilty of illegally clearing 74 vehicles for renewal of fitness certificate without adequate checks. The 74 automobiles were all public transport vehicles. This came to light after Pune-based businessman and activist Shrikant Karve, 63, moved a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in Bombay High Court in 2013. The incident dates back to the same year, when the accused, Dilip Mane, was posted in Solapur. According to Karve, Mane had claimed to check around 200 vehicles in a single day — an impossible number to cover for a single vehicle inspector. As many as 74 of these were public transport vehicles that he cleared without checking compliance. The high court came down heavily on the transport department for the fraud, following which, a notification was issued on November 14 announcing the suspension of Mane.

The Mumbai-Pune Expressway

He has been posted in Pune since May, but the local administration was unaware of this matter. The notification issued by the Maharashtra Home Department (Transport) states: "Mane is guilty of irresponsible behaviour and has violated the rules laid down under the Maharashtra Civil Service Act. Due to this negligence, he is suspended with immediate effect." It further mentions, "Till this order is served or implemented, Mane will be deputed at headquarter RTO Amravati. He cannot leave such headquarters without the permission of the superior officer in charge at Amravati."

The notification was submitted before the division bench of Justices Abhay Oka and Anil Menon yesterday, and the matter will be heard again today. Karve said, "There's still a big battle ahead; this is just the beginning. If we look at public transport accident rates, most of them occur due to technical issues like brake fail, etc. Corrupt officials can take a toll on innocent lives."

200 No. of vehicles Mane had claimed to check in a day
74 No. of public transport vehicles that were illegally cleared

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