Bengaluru: Towing mafia on roll! Cars, bikes being lifted from parking zones too

Bengaluru: A viral video of a towing vehicle and its staff in the city lifting vehicles indiscriminately, even those not violating parking norms, with no policemen present, has raised many serious questions.

The video shot by a woman clearly shows a towing vehicle on Lavelle Road lifting the vehicles without the presence of any traffic police personnel.

As per the rule a traffic policeman should accompany the towing vehicle and an announcement should be made before towing.

When the woman who shot the video, who did not want to be identified, questioned the towing vehicle staff, they immediately informed the jurisdictional traffic police, who came to the spot. When the woman questioned the police as to how someone could tow a vehicle in their absence. The traffic police ordered release of the vehicles.

Such incidents have also been reported in the past, but no stern action has been taken. A senior traffic police said, “No towing vehicle can be on duty without the presence of traffic police personnel, who should be above the rank of assistant sub-inspector (ASI). It is mandatory that five minutes before towing a vehicle an announcement should be made.”

He said the traffic police have taken note of the viral video. “We have been hearing such incidents, but so far did not have valid evidence. Now, we have the evidence and informed the Additional Commissioner of Police (Traffic). Stringent action will be taken against the towing vehicle operator and the traffic police personnel.”

The officer added that city traffic police will ensure that no such incidents takes place in future and the exhorted the public to inform the police if they come across any. “The towing vehicle will be removed from the contract and the traffic police staff on duty will be suspended,” he added.