A controversy has emerged surrounding the luxury vanity van used by Jan Suraaj Party Chief Prashant Kishor, who is currently on a hunger strike protesting alleged irregularities in the Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) exam.
The vehicle, parked at the protest site at Patna’s Gandhi Maidan, has come under scrutiny by the Patna Regional Transport Office (RTO) for violations of transport regulations.
Patna RTO Identifies Discrepancies In Registration Details
The Patna RTO has found several discrepancies related to the vanity van, which was registered in Punjab’s Sangrur district. The vehicle’s chassis number appears to have been tampered with, prompting officials to recommend a forensic investigation by the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL). Additional District Transport Officer Pinku Kumar confirmed these findings, stating that the vehicle was used commercially despite being registered as a private motor tax vehicle.
Kumar explained, “The vehicle has modifications such as air conditioning, a bed, sofa, bathroom, and video LCD systems, but these were not reported or updated in the official records.”
Incorrect Registration And Missing Road Tax Details
Further investigations revealed that the vehicle, which qualifies as a deluxe category due to its 4,500-mm wheelbase and a seating capacity of 25, was incorrectly registered as a light motor vehicle with a single-seating capacity. Additionally, there are no available records of the vehicle’s road tax payments, raising concerns about its compliance with the law.
The vanity van is also registered under the name of Awadhesh Paswan, a resident of Bihar’s Purnea district. Kumar confirmed that the vehicle had been seized and moved to the Patna District Transport Office. “The vanity van is illegal on ten parameters,” he added.
Jan Suraaj Party Downplays Vanity Van Issue
Manoj Kumar Bharti, acting President of the Jan Suraaj Party, has downplayed the controversy surrounding the vanity van, emphasizing that the real issue at hand is the plight of BPSC candidates. Bharti criticized political opponents for focusing on Kishor’s matters rather than supporting the protesting students. “Instead of highlighting Kishor’s issues, political figures should engage in meaningful action, like staging a satyagraha in solidarity with the BPSC candidates,” he remarked.
As the investigation continues, Kishor’s protest against the BPSC irregularities remains ongoing, with supporters rallying around his cause despite the controversy surrounding his vanity van.
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