Surat Police Under Fire as Memo issued for moped stolen five years ago

Surat | Gujarat –– In a damning revelation that raises serious questions about the functioning and accountability of the Surat Police, a traffic memo was recently delivered to a resident for a moped stolen five years ago. The memo was generated after the stolen vehicle was caught on  Surat traffic police CCTV cameras—yet, no attempt was made to apprehend the thief or recover the vehicle.

This bizarre incident has sparked outrage among citizens, exposing what many see as systemic negligence in handling vehicle theft cases.

The victim, whose moped was stolen in 2020, had lodged a formal complaint at the time. However, despite repeated follow-ups, the police failed to locate the vehicle. The recent traffic e-memo revealed that the vehicle is not only still operational but is being driven openly on Surat’s roads.

“If the police could see my stolen moped on CCTV, why didn’t they catch it? This is sheer negligence. For five years, I waited for justice, but all I got was a traffic fine,” said the aggrieved owner, visibly frustrated.

CCTV Footage, But No Action

The case has baffled many because the stolen moped was identified through surveillance cameras operated by the traffic police. While this could have been the breakthrough needed to solve the case, authorities merely issued a traffic memo to the registered owner, essentially penalising the victim instead of pursuing the criminal.

Former police officials say this incident reflects a breakdown in coordination between the traffic department and local police stations.

“The fact that the vehicle was in plain sight and still no interception was made shows either a lack of will or a serious lapse in procedure. This damages public trust,” said a retired IPS officer who wished to remain anonymous.

Public Outrage and Demand for Accountability

Social media platforms have been flooded with posts slamming Surat Police for their inaction. Many users have demanded a departmental inquiry and stricter protocols for stolen vehicle alerts.

“If the police can’t act even with CCTV proof, what hope do we have? This is not just about one moped—it’s about how safe our property is in this city,” said Ramesh Patel, a local businessman.

A Symptom of a Larger Problem

Experts point out that this case likely represents just the tip of the iceberg. Vehicle theft cases often go unresolved for years, with victims left in the dark. According to crime records, recovery rates for stolen two-wheelers in Gujarat remain alarmingly low.

This latest incident has reignited calls for a robust stolen vehicle tracking system, greater inter-departmental coordination, and strict accountability measures for police officers who fail to act.