Impounded vehicles down in the dumps

PANCHKULA: The unclaimed impounded vehicles parked in various police stations are proving to be a good income source for the cops. Many components of these machines have been allegedly sold to scrap dealers.
Sources said there are over 500 such vehicles including two and four wheelers parked for the past 4-5 years. The department has not carried out the auctioning yet.Sources said some cops have struck a deal with mechanics, who remove useful parts of the vehicles such as music systems; they either sell them or put back inferior replacements.
Sources said these wrongdoings had spread to city's adjoining areas also ' Barwala, Raipur Rani, Pinjore and Kalka. Sources added some machines were in good condition and could earn a good price if given away.
Police officers said the owners had not claimed these vehicles in time. ''The department is soon to begin an auction. We have not received any complaints yet and it would be difficult o blame anyone,'' said an officer.
However, Panchkula SP Maneesh Chaudhary admitted the goings-on and said he had come across such a happening some months ago, for which he said to have marked a departmental inquiry against a cop.
''I will instruct SHOs to keep a check over such incidents. These are offences and strict action shall follow, if anyone found guilty,'' SP said.