Kolkata: This is the story of a teenager from Kerala, visiting Kolkata for the first time in his life. A second-year student of a reputable city college, the young man got off the Madras-Howrah Mail at Howrah Station on the night of March 29, at around 11.30. Having attended online classes for nearly two years, he was happy to arrive in our city for his first offline lessons. Looking for a cab to take him to his friend’s home in the neighborhood of Lansdowne Place, however, he ran into a hurdle. Since he spoke nothing but Malayalam and English, and didn’t know the way to his destination, communication was a problem. Besides, he wasn’t carrying too much cash, and not a single driver was willing to accept digital payment.
Tired, frustrated, and wondering what to do, he was suddenly approached by a driver who agreed to make the trip for Rs.300, paid digitally. On the way, the student got his friend to speak to the driver on the phone, so that proper directions may be given. Past midnight, the driver dropped him on Boraj Road near Lake Gardens station. As he took out his mobile phone to make a payment, however, the driver snatched the phone, typed 3,500 instead of 300, completed the transaction, returned the phone, and fled with his cab. Stunned by the suddenness of it all, the student somehow reached his friend’s house, and shared his terrible experience with his friend and friend’s father.
As a result, the three paid a visit to Rabindra Sarobar Police Station in the morning yesterday, and met duty officer Sub-Inspector Mr. Sanjib Kumar Chakrabarty. All that the student had by way of supporting evidence was a hastily clicked, hazy photograph of the taxi number plate. Armed only with this, SI Chakrabarty began tracking the cab, guided by OC Rabindra Sarobar Police Station, Inspector Mr. Satyajit Karmakar. In less than two hours, he had managed to find the owner and through him, track down the driver.
At first, the driver denied all allegations and began blaming the complainant instead. Under immense pressure, however, he eventually broke down and admitted his guilt, returning the ‘extra’ amount to his passenger. Since the student was unwilling to lodge an official complaint, the matter ended here. However, he was overjoyed and profusely thankful that his nightmare had so quickly turned into a dream. His friend’s father, too, later personally texted SI Mr. Chakrabarty, praising and thanking team Rabindra Sarobar.
Our, Reporter in Chief
R. Manoj Kumar Sharma
Siliguri City, West Bengal
