Kalpetta: An autorickshaw that was seized by the police for lack of valid insurance cover was crushed using a bulldozer and sold off for scrap. And for the past five years, the vehicle owner, N R Narayanan, of Mukilpeetika in Meppadi, has been approaching the authorities for compensation.

The lifeline of the poor man, who struggles to make ends meet, was auctioned off by the Meppadi police for scrap as there was no space to keep it on police station premises.

In December 2017, police impounded Narayanan’s autorickshaw, slapping a fine of Rs 1,000. They said he could the vehicle back if he produced the required documents after renewing the insurance.

His livelihood gone, Narayanan said he worked as a security guard in Kochi for two months to generate make enough money. When he reached the station with Rs 8,000, he found the three-wheeler crushed by a bulldozer. Insurance companies refused to renew cover for an autorickshaw that cannot even be towed. Narayanan said he had bought the vehicle after selling a small shop he owned. 

The police claimed that the decision to scrap the seized vehicles was taken due to lack space on station premises, which delayed development work. Cops advised Narayanan to file a case for compensation. He approached the District Legal Service Authority, as he did not have any money to pay the lawyer's fee. Meanwhile, in 2022, he came to know that the smashed remains of his auto-rickshaw was sold off for scrap.

When Narayanan went to the Wayanad collectorate on Tuesday, he was told that his complaint had been forwarded to the district police chief and officials suggested him to inquire with the cops. When he reached the district police chief’s office, he was told to enquire at the collectorate.
Under scorching sun, Narayanan continues to run from pillar to post for an answer.