Chennai: A day after the video of a traffic sub-inspector and pickup truck driver arguing over payment of a fine and producing vehicle documents went viral on social media, Greater Chennai Traffic Police (GCTP) summoned the officer for an inquiry. The officer has drawn flak for not identifying himself, not displaying his nameplate properly and not explaining the charges to the driver.The incident took place on Monday when driver Sentamizhan, 32, was carrying a consignment of textbooks from Vyasarpadi to Kadambathur. “When I crossed the Senthil Nagar signal in Kolathur, the traffic police had barricaded the road and was checking vehicles. A constable directed me to meet his superior officer,” said Sentamizhan, an entrepreneur who previously worked in the sales team of a private bank. In the video, Sentamizhan said that the officer, later identified as reserve sub-inspector Jaikumar attached to the Villivakkam traffic wing, had blamed him for ‘obstruction’. Though he is seen asking the officer to explain the charges against him, the officer insists he produce his documents.“I had all the documents and was wearing the uniform. I was only carrying textbooks, and nothing was protruding from the vehicle. But he kept asking for my documents,” he said.Sentamizhan showed the documents but did not hand them over to the police and asked him to show his identity card instead. In the video, the officer’s nameplate is not visible as the flap is covering it. Motor accidents claims tribunal advocate V S Suresh said that the police should have displayed his nameplate properly. “The police officer should have worn the bodycam to ensure transparency. They should also explain the offence to the motorist,” he said.Meanwhile, the challan issued against Sentamizhan mentions the offences as follows — not producing driving licence, conductor licence, registration certificates, permit, fitness certificate, and insurance certificate on demand. Villivakkam traffic enforcement wing inspector Uma Maheshwari said the sub-inspector had stopped the driver at a checkpoint and asked him to show the records. The driver refrained from showing it and instead created a ruckus on the road. “Following this he was slapped with fine of 500 for not showing the relevant documents,” she said.P Kumar, deputy commissioner (traffic) North who is also in charge of West Zone traffic, said the police officer has been summoned for an inquiry.
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