Rs 1000 and a Wake-up Call

In Srinagar, flouting traffic laws has long been routine until technology made it harder to hide.

- Aisha Hasnain

I knew we were in trouble the moment I saw that blue uniform. The traffic cop was glued to his phone, but it wasn't for scrolling Instagram he was taking pictures. A moment later, my brother confirmed it: "He booked us with a chalan."

And just like that, our idyllic plan to breathe in the spring air at Badam Vaer turned into a thousand-rupee setback. My brother got the message: Pillion rider without crash helmet. Fine: Rs 1000. Section 129 of the Motor Vehicles Act had officially ruined my mood.