Bhadrak, Jul 8: A Bhadrak resident has alleged a glaring error in Odisha's e-challan system after receiving a ₹5,000 traffic fine for an offence involving a motorcycle in Nayagarh, even though the registration number belongs to his four-wheeler.

The complainant, Kshitish Samanta Behera, a resident of Aradi Chhak in Bhadrak town, said he received an SMS from the Transport Department on Tuesday evening informing him of a ₹5,000 fine. The online notice stated that a rider of motorcycle bearing registration number OD02CA1742 was caught talking on a mobile phone while riding, an offence punishable under Section 184(C) of the Motor Vehicles Act.

However, Behera claimed that the registration number mentioned in the challan belongs to his car, not a motorcycle. He also produced CCTV footage, asserting that his vehicle was parked in Bhadrak at the time the alleged violation was recorded in Nayagarh.

The e-challan reportedly includes a photograph of an unidentified youth riding a motorcycle while using a mobile phone, raising questions over how the registration number of a four-wheeler was linked to the traffic violation.

Behera has accused the Transport Department and the Regional Transport Office (RTO) of negligence, alleging that the challan was issued without proper verification. He has demanded an immediate correction of the error and withdrawal of the penalty.

The incident has sparked concerns over the accuracy of the automated e-challan system and the need for proper verification before penalties are imposed on vehicle owners.