Rajasthan’s transport department has fined the son of Deputy Chief Minister Prem Chand Bairwa Rs 7,000 for driving a vehicle with unauthorised modifications and other violations, following the circulation of a viral video last week.
The video, filmed on Amber Road in Jaipur, showed Bairwa’s son behind the wheel of a vehicle with Congress leader Pushpendra Bhardwaj’s son in the front passenger seat and two others in the back. A Rajasthan government vehicle with a police beacon was seen tailing them.
Bhardwaj’s son, the vehicle’s owner, was issued a notice on October 1 under the Motor Vehicles Act, asking him to provide an explanation within seven days.
According to the traffic challan, the deputy CM’s son was fined Rs 5,000 for unauthorised modifications, Rs 1,000 for not wearing a seatbelt, and Rs 1,000 for using a mobile phone while driving.
After the video sparked social media criticism, Bairwa defended his son, stating that since he became deputy CM, his son has had opportunities to interact with wealthier individuals and experience luxury cars.
“My son is friends with other kids from school. I want to thank the honourable prime minister for making someone like me the deputy chief minister of Rajasthan. And after this, if wealthy individuals allow my son to sit with them in their cars and give him a chance to see luxury cars, then I am thankful,” Bairwa had said.
He also clarified that his son had not yet reached the legal driving age and that the police vehicle was there for security purposes. The police vehicle was following them for protection. I do not blame my son or his friends, he added.
However, Bairwa later expressed regret over the incident, saying that he did not want his actions to tarnish his party’s image. “He is a child, still young. I have advised him against repeating such behaviour,” the deputy chief minister said.
Bairwa added that he doesn’t own a vehicle, with the only one in his family being a jeep registered in his wife’s name. He is a two-term BJP MLA from the Dudu constituency.