Facebook helps nab 'powerful' violators

'Influential' people often use their power to 'settle' cases of traffic violations. But Delhi traffic police's virtual eye does not spare anyone.

'Influential' people often use their power to 'settle' cases of traffic violations. But Delhi traffic police's virtual eye does not spare anyone.

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The traffic police's page on social networking site Facebook is bringing these violators to the book.

On Friday, traffic police prosecuted vehicles of four influential persons — an SHO of Delhi police, a municipal councillor, a leader of a political party and a media person.

The action was based on photographs of vehicles belonging to these violators that were uploaded on the police's Facebook page.

The traffic police had started an interactive page on the social networking site a year ago to provide necessary information, and also to offer a platform for citizens to put their suggestions, reactions and grievances. It has become a huge success with over 60,000 members.

Based on information and photographs uploaded by citizens on the page, traffic police have so far prosecuted hundreds of people for violating traffic norms.

"This is probably the first time we prosecuted four influential persons in a single day for violating traffic norms," said a senior traffic officer.

Each of them was either slapped with a fine of Rs 2,000 or more or got court challans, said traffic police.

"With the help of photos uploaded in Facebook we have also prosecuted vehicles of chairman of the anti corruption mission of Haryana and a traffic inspector of Model Town on Thursday," said Garg.