Doctor’s card swiped for Rs 4 lakh instead of Rs 40 at toll booth
A doctor was shell-shocked to see his debit card swiped for Rs 40 lakh instead of Rs 40 at Gundmi toll gate on the Kochi-Mumbai National Highway near Udupi around 10.30pm Saturday. The toll gate is 18kms from Udupi.
The Mysuru-based doctor who was identified as Dr Rao by the police, was travelling in his chauffeur-driven car to Mumbai via the coast. Around 10.30pm, he gave his debit card to pay the Rs 40 toll. The attendant, after swiping the card, gave the POS receipt and toll receipt to the doctor.
When the doctor received a text message that Rs 4 lakh had been debited from his account, he brought it to the notice of the toll gate staff but they refused to acknowledge their mistake.
The doctor proceeded to Kota police station, which is about 5kms from the toll gate, and filed a complaint. He returned to the toll gate with the head constable.
Finally, the toll booth personnel admitted to the mistake and offered to reimburse the excess amount by cheque. But the doctor wanted the entire amount in cash.
The toll gate personnel contacted senior officials of the collection company and made arrangements to pay the Rs 3,99,960 in cash around 4am. Police said the company usually has a daily collection of around Rs 8 lakh at Gundmi gate.
