Kunal Khemu fined for riding bike without helmet

Mumbai: The Mumbai police on Wednesday issued an e-challan to Bollywood actor Kunal Khemu for riding a motorcycle without wearing a helmet. The cops acted on the complaint of an alert citizen who posted photographs on Mumbai police’s Twitter handle asking for action against the actor. The actor has apologised for it.

A Mumbaikar, Anil Kashyab posted a photo on Twitter, which shows the actor riding his motorcycle without a helmet. The picture went viral on Twitter and tagged the Mumbai traffic police asking them to take action. Replying to the tweet, Mumbai police tweeted, @anilmanu1991- (Anil’s tweeter handled) brought to our notice by your tweet, an e-challan Number MTPCHC1800225825 has been issued to the concerned. The traffic police also said they would charge the actor around '500. The action was initiated within minutes and an e-challan was sent to Khemu. It was shared with the complainant on Twitter, with the number plate of his bike and a reference number.

An embarrassed Khemu apologised on Twitter for breaking traffic rules. He tweeted , “ I have seen this picture out there and honestly it’s very embarrassing given I love bikes and ride regularly and always with a helmet and some more gear but whether it’s a long ride or just next door a helmet should always be worn. Apologies I don’t want to set the wrong example!”

 Amitesh Kumar, joint  commissioner of police, Mumbai traffic police said, “Since the offence was brought to our notice we have taken action. The actor was sent an e-challan of  '500.  We noticed the violation via twitter, and we initiated the action which was needed.”  He added, “ Rules are same for all. Earlier also we have issued e-challans and I appeal to all celebrities to promote the drive of wearing helmets as a compulsion, and appeal to all citizens to follow the rules and regulations.”   

In 2017, the city traffic police installed around 6,200 CCTV cameras and dispatched 19,52,296 e-challans, though many of the offenders are yet to pay their fines.

To collect the e-challan amount, the police sent letters to offenders and shared their vehicle numbers with the RTO.

If they are caught during nakabandis or for other offences, they are made to pay the pending fines, but if not caught, there’s no mechanism in place to collect the penalty’s amount.

SELFIE FINE

Actor Varun Dhawan recently was fined for clicking a selfie with a fan at a signal by leaning out of his car. In November 2017, the actor was fined after a photo of his breaking a traffic rule was tweeted and went viral.