Nagpur Police File FIR Against MP Bus Depot Manager and Operators

In a significant move, the Sitabuldi Police in Nagpur have registered a First Information Report (FIR) against Rafiq Tomar, the manager of a Madhya Pradesh bus depot, along with several travel operators. This action stems from a complaint lodged by Virendra Dubey, the president of the Bus Transport Welfare Federation, who alleged that these operators were running passenger buses without the necessary permits from a bus stand located on Railway Station Road.

The complaint has led to the invocation of cheating charges and relevant sections of the Motor Vehicles Act. According to the details provided, operators of eight buses are specifically being scrutinized for their alleged violations of transport regulations. Furthermore, Dubey has raised concerns that more than 50 additional buses may also be operating without valid permits, highlighting a potential widespread issue within the local transport system.

One of the alarming allegations is that some operators have misused temporary permits, originally issued for special occasions like weddings, to conduct regular passenger services. The complaint further claims that multiple buses have been found operating under identical registration numbers and permits, raising serious questions about the integrity of the bus operations in the region. These buses have reportedly been seen in various locations including Nagpur, Seoni, Dindori, and Jabalpur, prompting calls for a thorough investigation.

DCP Annapurna Singh has taken a proactive approach by personally inspecting the MP bus depot, where she reportedly uncovered several irregularities. Following her inspection, fines were imposed on the bus operators involved. Rafiq Tomar, who is originally from Madhya Pradesh, is noted to be a retired employee of the Madhya Pradesh Transport Department but allegedly continues to oversee operations at the bus stand.

The complaint also implicates Thakurdas Gulani, another retired individual, and a person known as Bababhai, who are accused of managing the bus operations at the depot. It is alleged that these individuals collect daily revenues from the buses operating from the depot, without ensuring that the respective state governments receive the appropriate revenue. The police are currently investigating these serious allegations, including the suspected use of invalid permits and duplicate registration numbers. However, it is important to note that the allegations against the individuals named in the complaint have not yet been established in a court of law.