Kerala police registered a case against Anas Muhammad (40), a Motor Vehicle Inspector (MVI), for misbehaving with a lady bank officer who appeared for a driving license test. Muhammad is attached to the Nedumangad Road Transport Office (RTO). The accused was arrested by a police team led by Nedumangad Circle Inspector S Satheesh Kumar. 

Trouble began when the complainant appeared for her driving test on the 14th of October in her car. MVI Muhammad sat in the front seat of the vehicle driven by the woman. As soon as the car started moving, he spoke ill to the woman and said, “You have grown nails on all your fingers… If one pricks my body, will I get septic….”

The lady politely reminded the MVI that Bharatiya law does not mention that those appearing for a driving test should not grow their nails. Her bravery did not go down well with the arrogant officer, and his attitude changed dramatically. Mohammad turned abusive. 

Muhammad ranted that people come for driving tests without showering or bathing. He insulted the victim and asked whether she went to her bank without a shower. Uncontent, his anger turned toward the driving school instructor who accompanied them in the car. The MVI alleged that driving school ‘b@startds’ allow filthy people to attend driving tests. He then used obscene language, following which the lady asked, “Sir could you stop” but the bad-mouthed tirade continued. 

After the driving test, the bank officer arrived home devastated. She would not speak to anyone, went into her room, and closed it from inside. Her husband, working in Idukki, had to come to Nedumangad before the victim disclosed the matter. Idukki to Nedumangad is a distance of around 250 km and takes more than six hours to reach on a good day. 

She reportedly wept uncontrollably and said she was afraid to reveal the insult. The victim was scared to file a police complaint. Her husband insisted, and finally, the young woman sent a letter to the Nedumangad CI describing her humiliation at the hands of Mohammad.

Immediately after receiving the letter, Nedumangad CI Satheesh Kumar assigned the station’s lady Sub Inspector Surya to investigate. A police team led by Surya reached the house of the bank official and inquired about the matter. The young woman then shared the horrible incident with the lady police officer. The victim said she sent the complaint through the post because she feared the police and added that she was humiliated during the driving test.

Police recorded the victim’s statement and, upon inquiry, realized there was truth in the complaint. They received several earlier complaints against Muhammad for misbehaving with women. His female colleagues had a poor opinion of him. 

The transport department issued a suspension order against Muhammad pending an investigation. Reports indicated that this officer has a history of rude behavior towards those appearing for the driving test, especially women. Earlier, too, there were complaints about misconduct towards those appearing for the driving tests. 

There are several such anti-socials employed in all government departments. Since the perpetrator was an Islamist, so-called feminists and mainstream media shunned the unfortunate incident. It seems that Islamists are yet to come to terms with the fact that women are allowed to drive in Bharat.