3 days ago
BJP Blames UDF Government After Malappuram Auto Driver’s Suicide
Shoukat was a 33-year-old autorickshaw driver in Malappuram, Kerala.
He reportedly tried for 10 months to get a fitness certificate for his vehicle.
He said the Motor Vehicles Department denied the certificate when he applied without using agents.
He later posted about the problem on Facebook and allegedly died by suicide.
BJP leader Rajeev Chandrasekhar blamed the UDF government and accused transport offices of corruption.
He also said promised changes to vehicle-modification rules had not been made.
Transport Minister C P John has asked for a report about the allegations.
Driver and employee unions protested after Shoukat’s death.
BJP state president Rajeev Chandrasekhar blamed the UDF government for the alleged harassment linked to Shoukat’s death.
Shoukat, 33, reportedly spent 10 months seeking a fitness certificate for his autorickshaw.
Chandrasekhar alleged that officials delayed the application because Shoukat refused to pay bribes through intermediary agents.
Shoukat allegedly died by suicide after posting that the Motor Vehicles Department had denied his vehicle a fitness certificate.
Transport Minister C P John sought a report, while driver and employee unions held a protest march.
- Who
- Shoukat, a 33-year-old autorickshaw driver, allegedly died by suicide; BJP leader Rajeev Chandrasekhar blamed the UDF government.
- What
- The death prompted allegations of harassment and corruption at Regional Transport Offices over the denial and delay of a vehicle fitness certificate.
- Where
- Mundaparambu, Puliyakode, near Kizhissery in Malappuram, Kerala, involving the local Sub Regional Transport Office.
- When
- Shoukat allegedly died by suicide after a Facebook post on Thursday; Chandrasekhar made his allegations on Sunday.
- Why
- According to Chandrasekhar’s allegations, Shoukat faced prolonged difficulties obtaining certification because he applied without intermediary agents; the government’s role remains subject to a report.
BJP and Government Critics
State Response
Cause of the death
BJP and Government Critics
Rajeev Chandrasekhar said Shoukat’s death reflected severe harassment at Kerala’s Regional Transport Offices and alleged that delayed certification and bribery demands were involved.
State Response
The reported state response is an investigation request: Transport Minister C P John sought a report on the allegations against the relevant transport office.
Vehicle-modification rules
BJP and Government Critics
Chandrasekhar alleged that V D Satheesan had promised to reform rules that officials allegedly misuse to harass vehicle owners but failed to fulfill that promise.
State Response
The articles do not report a direct response from V D Satheesan or the UDF government to this allegation.
Extent of corruption
BJP and Government Critics
Chandrasekhar alleged that Regional Transport Offices became centres of corruption under both the previous CPI(M)-led government and the current UDF administration.
State Response
The state has not been reported as accepting the corruption allegation; the transport minister’s requested report is intended to examine the specific claims.
Key facts
- Person who died
- Shoukat, an autorickshaw driver
- Age
- 33
- Location
- Mundaparambu, Puliyakode, near Kizhissery in Malappuram
- Certification issue
- He reportedly sought a fitness certificate for his autorickshaw for 10 months.
- Main allegation
- Rajeev Chandrasekhar alleged that transport offices harassed applicants and operated as centres of corruption.
- Government action
- Transport Minister C P John sought a report on the allegations concerning the Sub Regional Transport Office.
- Public response
- Autorickshaw drivers’ and employees’ unions staged a protest march.
Quotes
Rajeev Chandrasekhar
BJP state president of Kerala
“Shoukat's suicide exposes the harassment faced by ordinary people at RTO offices in Kerala.”
deccanchronicle.com
Sources
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