Pune: Fines Paid in Lok Adalat Still Reflect on Police App: Pune Motorists Caught in System Glitch
Pune, 19th July 2025: In a disturbing revelation, several Pune residents have raised concerns over a serious system lapse where traffic fines settled through Lok Adalats or courts are still showing as unpaid on the traffic police mobile app. This technical disconnect has led to repeated harassment of motorists during police checks and underscores a lack of coordination between the judiciary and the traffic department’s digital infrastructure.
The issue came to the forefront after motorists who participated in a Lok Adalat held on September 9, 2023, at Yerawada Traffic Division, found that their compromised fines—amounting to a total of ₹44.5 lakh—were never cleared from police records. Though these fines were lawfully paid and deposited into the state treasury, the police systems continue to show the original penalty amounts as due.
App Glitch Leaves Citizens at Risk:
In one instance, a motorist who had legally cleared a ₹6,000 fine for ₹3,000 during the Lok Adalat was pulled over by officers weeks later, only to be told the original amount was still pending. The confusion and subsequent inconvenience prompted social activist Prashant Bholagir to file an RTI with the Shivajinagar Court, seeking detailed records of fines waived and vehicle numbers linked to the Lok Adalat. However, authorities only provided the total amount collected and claimed no records were maintained for individual vehicles.
“It’s unacceptable that citizens pay fines in good faith, yet continue to be flagged by police systems. There’s zero accountability between departments,” said Bholagir, who now plans to escalate the issue to the State Information Commission and the Chief Minister’s Office.
Police sources acknowledged that after Lok Adalat fines are paid, vehicle details are supposed to be manually updated by the traffic department based on court-provided lists. However, administrative delays and errors often result in fines not being removed from the app, leading to repeated checks and confusion for law-abiding motorists.
Even a senior government official, speaking anonymously, admitted facing the issue. Despite paying ₹3,000 in a court settlement, he was later stopped and shown a pending fine of ₹6,000 on the police database. Several citizens have filed similar complaints, with many having to return to the traffic office or court to rectify the discrepancies.
To address the issue, DCP (Traffic) Himmat Jadhav has advised affected citizens to submit their court-issued payment receipts either in person or via email at [email protected]. “Upon receiving proof, we will manually update our records and adjust the fine,” he assured.
Advocate Pratap Pardeshi confirmed he has handled at least two such cases where fines remained in the system despite being cleared. “There’s a lack of procedural integration between the judiciary and the traffic department, and the citizens are caught in the crossfire. Higher authorities must step in,” he said.
Receipts Missing, Records Incomplete :
Adding to the problem, some citizens claim they weren’t given formal receipts for their payments. Manoj Kalokhe, who paid ₹6,000 against a ₹12,000 fine, said only a form was filled during the Lok Adalat. Later, he found the penalty still listed against his vehicle at the motor court.
