By Sunil Sonker
Mussoorie, 9 Feb: A major scandal has emerged regarding the entry of vehicles during restricted hours on Mall Road in Mussoorie. The Municipal Council had granted special permission to some vehicles for official work in the name of Rajiv Jain, IRS, Deputy Director, Enforcement Directorate (Ministry of Finance, Government of India, Dehradun) from the Picture Palace and Library barriers. Now, allegations are being made that this permission was used for illegal transportation of tourists and taxi operation.
It is reported that this permission was granted for the financial year 2025-26, involving vehicles with numbers DL1CA 9541, DL3CF9793, and DL2 CBE 5553. These vehicles were allowed to enter Mall Road during restricted hours, but the local Taxi Association alleges that instead of being used for official purposes, they were being used to transport tourists from the Summer Cloud Home stay near Club Mahindra.
The Kincraig Taxi Association, Mussoorie, seized an Innova car with a Delhi registration number. Upon questioning, the driver admitted that he transported tourists staying at the homestay to and from Mall Road. Association President Sumit Kumar alleged that the seized Innova car was registered in Delhi and its registration had expired, while two other similar cars also had expired registrations, yet they were being operated freely in Uttarakhand.
Sumit Kumar said that when the matter was brought to the police’s attention, they simply issued a pollution challan and released the vehicle. He alleged that this clearly shows that even the police have become subservient to influential people. He warned that, if the documents of these vehicles are not checked soon and the entry passes to Mall Road are not revoked, the taxi union will be forced to launch a fierce agitation.
According to the Taxi Association, “Summer Cloud Stay”, located near Club Mahindra, is being operated in the name of Rajiv Jain, from where these vehicles transport tourists to Mall Road. This is severely affecting the livelihoods of local taxi operators, which will not be tolerated under any circumstances.
Innova driver Gaurav Singh Rawat stated that he is employed at Rajiv Jain’s homestay, Summer Cloud Stay, located near Club Mahindra, and was given the vehicle by him. He stated that he only transports tourists staying at the homestay to Mall Road and, in special circumstances, to petrol pumps. The driver claimed he had a valid entry pass issued by the Municipal Corporation, which he used to enter Mall Road during restricted hours.
Regarding the matter, Mussoorie Police Inspector Devendra Chauhan stated that the entire case is being investigated. Meanwhile, Municipal Council Executive Officer Gaurav Bhasin stated that this matter has come to his attention for the first time. He clarified that all entry passes issued in Rajiv Jain’s name will be investigated, and if any irregularities are found, the passes will be revoked immediately.
This entire incident has also raised questions about the role of the Municipal Corporation. If a permit granted in the name of government work is being commercially misused, it not only violates rules but also constitutes injustice to local taxi operators. Now it remains to be seen how quickly and fairly the administration takes action in this matter, or whether rules will once again be overshadowed by influence.
