HT Correspondent
JORHAT, May 1: A youth, who reportedly impersonated another man and appeared in a driving license test in his stead, was detected by the office of the District Transport Officer, Jorhat and handed over to the police.
District Transport Officer (DTO), Jorhat, Moniruddin Ahmed said that a youth identified as Manabendra Pasoni, was caught by the Motor Vehicle Inspector (MVI) Dhananjoy Saikia on Friday when he had come to appear for a driving test to obtain a Light Motor Vehicle driving license.
Ahmed said that the youth (Manabendra Pasoni) who was wearing a mask was suspected by Saikia to be someone else as his face did not match with the applicant’s as per the form and the learner’s license.
Thereafter, Saikia questioned Manabendra extensively about his identity.
The DTO said that the MVI also found that the appearance of Manabendra did not match with the age stated by the applicant in the form and he was not allowed to appear in the test.
Ahmed said though he (Pasoni) initially denied the charge of impersonating, but after inquiring the matter further it came to light that he was impersonating a driving license applicant, identified as Amarjyoti Barua, who was then asked to come to the DTO office.
Ahmed said that as Barua came to the office he admitted to the charge of Manabendra impersonating him to appear in the test to obtain the final driving license for him (Barua) in lieu of payment of money.
The DTO said that Manabendra also reportedly admitted to sitting for driving tests for two more persons and enabling them to get licenses.
All four (Manabendra and three others who used him to acquire a license) came to DTO office here and when asked to give a test for driving they failed to drive a car.
Ahmed said that after questioning they were handed over to police for necessary legal action and further investigation into the case which could find out more people who could be involved in the racket and the beneficiaries.
Ahmed said that Manabendra during the inquiry claimed to be a chemical engineer and was running a computer cafe on the outskirts here.
The DTO said that the licenses of two other persons for whom Manabendra had appeared will be cancelled and investigation will be undertaken to find out if any other persons had received driving license by illegal means.
