Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy’s private high-end luxury SUV was caught violating traffic rules in the city twice in the month of February.
According to reports, the offences include that of using mobile phone while on the wheel and the other of overspeeding.
The offence related to using the phone was noticed on February 10 while the speeding violation was registered on February 22. Both the fines amount to Rs 400 in total.
On both the days the CM was in the city. On February 10, he was deliberating on the audio-gate scandal while on February 22 he held a meeting with Railway Minister Piyush Goyal to discuss the city’s suburban rail project.
Police officials said these violations for the black Range Rover with registration number KA42P002 were based on the automated enforcement cameras, and notices for the same have been sent to the registered postal address of Kasturi Media Pvt. Ltd
Officials say that the fine amount is yet to be paid.
Prior to this, officials say that the vehicle was fined for parking at a no-parking zone and once for taking an illegal u-turn. But those fines have been cleared by the chief minister. The CM is allotted two Toyota Fortuners as per the current protocol.
CM Kumaraswamy, who assumed office in May, 2018, has been advocating austerity measures to make up for the farm loan waiver scheme and had chosen to use his Rs 1.5 crore private vehicle instead of his official vehicle.
The move was criticised by some as the luxury SUV is known to be a fuel guzzler giving a maximum mileage of just 12 kilometres per litre. However, his office claims the car is a preferred choice given the CM’s health condition. They say the vehicle has special shock absorbers to minimise body strain for the CM.
