Total of 5,172 cases were booked against drivers and 934 autos were seized. In view of complaints by passengers of drivers refusing to ply or demanding excess fare, the city traffic police carried out an inspection on Monday between 5 a.m. and 5 p.m.
Additional Commissioner of police B Dayananda told, “The police received a large number of complaints about autorickshaw drivers through social media. Most of them related to demanding excess fare and refusing to go on hire to the destinations of passengers’ choice. Hence, the police conducted a special drive and booked the violators.”
Dayananda said, “We will consider action against drivers of the autorickshaws seized and will write to the Regional Transport Authorities recommending suspension of driving licence of some of the drivers.”
Senior police officer said that, “We were told that most drivers would demand exorbitant fare from passengers who would get down at railway stations and bus stands early in the morning. Many of them would even refuse pleas of the passengers to drop them at their respective destination. There were lots of complaints about meter-tampering.”
Police officer said, the drivers of seized autos must appear in court and pay a fine, which can extend up to Rs. 3,000, to get back their vehicles.