The Hindu : New Delhi News : `Etching teams'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, May 02, 2004

New Delhi

New Delhi

`Etching teams'

By Our Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI, MAY 1. Even as etching of registration numbers on the windows of cars is not a common practice these days, some people carrying an authorisation letter issued by the Prashant Vihar Station House Officer (SHO) have of late been found stopping vehicles for the same, for which they charge around Rs. 30 per vehicle. It is learnt that a similar practice is being carried out in other parts of the Capital as well.

A few days ago these people were spotted near a police picket at Rohini Sector 13 falling under the jurisdiction of the Prashant Vihar police station, waving at vehicles to stop for etching. When asked about their credentials, they produced a letter purportedly issued by the area SHO. The letter, which was typed in Hindi, also had the official seal of the SHO.

Some police personnel deployed nearby refused to take any action against these people saying that they were carrying the letter of authorisation from the SHO. The sub-division Assistant Commissioner of Police, when contacted, first denied that any such activity was going on in the area. He then expressed ignorance over any kind of authorisation letter issued.

However, after a crosscheck, he informed that the Prashant Vihar SHO had indeed issued such a letter authorising some people to carry out etching but only with the consent of vehicle owners.

Another such "etching team" was spotted in the Badarpur area a few weeks ago.

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