“The RTO had suspended the operation of my vehicle for six months in January 2006 for crossing the jurisdiction. The seized vehicle was parked in the RTO premises during the period. When I went back to get my vehicle at the end of the suspension period, vital parts of the auto — including the engine and the tyres — were stolen,” said Jalanila. He has spent the past year meeting RTO officials and the police, demanding his vehicle back in the original condition.

Jalanila said he had purchased the six-seater in 2000 after taking a loan of Rs.1 lakh from the Vishweshwar Bank in Sadashiv Peth. “I could not continue to drive it because of serious health problems. So I hired a driver, Saeed Mohammad Ali Shaikh, who was giving me a share of the earnings,” he said.

“On January 27, 2006, police sub inspector Dutta Chavan of traffic police seized the rickshaw near the Holkar Bridge on charge of driving out of the specified jurisdiction. I went to the Wakdewadi police chowki. Chavan said my vehicle had been handed over to the RTO. The RTO officials said the operation of my vehicle was suspended for six months,” Jalanila said.

He went back to the RTO after six months. The clerk asked him to pay Rs.6,000 as fine and take the vehicle. “When I saw the vehicle, I found that the engine, tyres, gearbox, battery and all other important parts were missing. Unable to bare the shock, I lost consciousness and collapsed on the ground,” Jalanila said.

In December 2006, Jalanila lodged a written complaint with the RTO about the theft. But there has been no response until today, despite repeated visits to the RTO.

Jalanila happened to meet Anti Corruption and Oppression Committee of India city unit president Sanjaykumar Agarwal and Right to Information activist Sunil Shegaonkar. With their help, he filed complaints with the commissioner of Pune Police and the state Anti Corruption Bureau. ACB deputy superintendent of police C.G. Kumbhar replied to Jalanila that his application was forwarded to the RTO, for investigation.

The Bund Garden police have lodged a first information report in the case. “The RTO has a contract with a private party to look after the vehicles in the parking lot. This party is responsible for the security lapse,” said police inspector Mahendra Pardeshi.