close_game
close_game

Two e-challans led driver to uncover a parking scam

ByVinay Dalvi
Jul 22, 2023 12:54 AM IST

After paying the fines and getting his vehicle back, when the driver enquired, he learnt that the pay-and-park was not authorised. He then approached the LT Marg police station where an FIR was registered against the parking lot operator, Prashant Shete aka Farukh

MUMBAI: Suspicious over receiving two e-challans amounting to 3,000 for parking in a ‘no-parking zone’- even after the car was parked in a paid parking lot at Dawa Bazar in Kalbadevi, a 37-year-old driver’s alertness led police to bust a fake parking racket ripping off several vehicle owners.

Mumbai, India – July 20, 2023: A view of Badu Genu Road, Dava Bazaar area, in Mumbai, India, on Friday, July 20, 2023. (Photo by Bhushan Koyande/HT Photo)
Mumbai, India – July 20, 2023: A view of Badu Genu Road, Dava Bazaar area, in Mumbai, India, on Friday, July 20, 2023. (Photo by Bhushan Koyande/HT Photo)

According to the LT Marg police officials, the driver, Sunil Sawant, paid 150 to park his employer’s car in a paid parking zone and despite this, his owner received two e-challans the same day for parking the vehicle in a ‘no-parking zone’.

When his employer, Deven Shah, alerted the driver about the e-challans, Sawant checked and found out that the four-wheeler was towed away by the Kalbadevi traffic division.

After paying the fines and getting his vehicle back, when the driver enquired, he learnt that the pay-and-park was not authorised. He then approached the LT Marg police station where an FIR was registered against the parking lot operator, Prashant Shete aka Farukh.

According to the police, Sawant, a resident of Airoli, who works as a driver for Shah, a trader, had parked his employer’s car on Wednesday at Dawa Bazar in Kalbadevi when Shah had visited the market.

“I parked the car and paid 150 towards parking charges. The parking lot operator, however, refused to give me a receipt. I found the operator’s refusal to issue a receipt quite suspicious. The person, identified as Prashant Shete alias Farukh, told me that I need not worry, and the car will be safe there,” said Sawant.

However, around 12.30pm, Shah got the first message that there was an e-challan of 1,500 issued for parking his car in a no-parking zone. “Around 2.45pm, my employer received a second message of e-challan for the same amount for parking in no parking area. I rushed to the spot after my employer called and informed me about the e-challans only to find out that neither the vehicle nor the parking attendant was at the spot,” said Sawant.

He then waited and later decided to visit the nearest traffic chowky to see if his car was towed away by the traffic police. “I went to the Kalbadevi traffic division and found my car there. Later I learnt that the pay-and-park lot, where I had parked my car was illegal and several other vehicle owners had similarly got e-challans for parking in the no-parking area,” said Sawant.

“I then gathered some information about the illegal parking menace there and caught Farukh, who confessed to me that he was operating an illegal parking zone,” said Sawant who then approached the police and narrated the incident. Based on his complaint, the police registered a case against Farukh. “We have booked him for cheating, furnishing false information, causing any obstruction in a street,” said a police officer.

rec-icon Recommended Topics
Share this article
Catch every big hit, every wicket with Crickit, a one stop destination for Live Scores, Match Stats, Infographics & much more. Explore now!

Stay updated with all the Breaking News and Latest News from Mumbai. Click here for comprehensive coverage of top Cities including Bengaluru, Delhi, Hyderabad, and more across India along with Stay informed on the latest happenings in World News.
See More
Catch every big hit, every wicket with Crickit, a one stop destination for Live Scores, Match Stats, Infographics & much more. Explore now!

Stay updated with all the Breaking News and Latest News from Mumbai. Click here for comprehensive coverage of top Cities including Bengaluru, Delhi, Hyderabad, and more across India along with Stay informed on the latest happenings in World News.
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Tuesday, February 18, 2025
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On