Mangaluru: Lack of info adding to towing menace

Mangaluru: A man’s bike was towed while he went to fetch medicines from the chemist and only learnt that his vehicle was towed from a passerby.

There are no clear rules about the towed vehicles and many times citizens have begged that they will pay the fine and settle the parking violation at the spot but the police don’t pay any heed to such requests, said a source.

Often times it becomes extremely difficult to locate the vehicle that was towed as it is not known to which police station the vehicle was towed.

Many are now even suspecting the towing operations alleging that they have become an extortion racket.

In one instance, a vehicle owner laid himself in front of the towing vehicle that was carrying his vehicle in protest. Later he was booked by the police and penalised for stopping them from discharging their duties.

In another instance, a vehicle owner argued with the police and finally found out that the towing vehicle itself did not have proper papers.

And in yet another incident, a seven-year-old kid sleeping inside a car was towed along with the vehicle invoking sharp criticism from the general public.

The towing vehicles can hold up to 7-8 bikes and can tow a four-wheeler. Outrage has also been expressed by the public for vehicles being damaged while towing and during loading and unloading of the vehicles.

Last November, a car owner was fined Rs 2,000 for towing his vehicle. Later he had to shell out Rs 42,778 for repairing the damages suffered by his vehicle.

Moreover, there have been instances where people were seen hopping from one police station to another in search of their vehicle that was towed.

It was reported that there are rules stating that before towing away vehicles announcement must be made through loudspeakers about the vehicle being in violation of parking rules and ordering the owner to move it.

However, these rules are never followed.