Dh33m car plate owner veers into parking row
dubai — The Indian businessman who became world famous for spending Dh33 million on a ‘D5’ number plate was in the news again — this time for allegedly parking in a disabled parking space. After a video circulated on social media showing Balwinder Sahni’s Rolls Royce parked in a disabled spot outside Aspen Tower on Shaikh Zayed Road, he was given a Dh1,000 fine and four black points by the Dubai police.
Sahni, however, vehemently denies any wrongdoing, and says he has filed a case against the person who uploaded the video.
dubai — The Indian businessman who hit the headlines last month after buying the prestigious D5 number plate for Dh33 million made headlines again this week after allegedly parking in a disabled parking space.
After a video circulated on social media showing Balwinder Sahni’s D5-branded Rolls-Royce parked in the white rectangle of a disabled bay outside Aspen Tower on Shaikh Zayed Road, police fined his driver Dh1,000 and issued him four black points.
But Sahni has hit out at the accusations, saying the car was not parked in the bay.
“The car was not parked in that spot, it was parked far away. I was at a meeting and had many bags carrying heavy catalogues so the driver pulled up for about 30 seconds so we could load the car.”
Sahni shared pictures with Khaleej Times — with date marks of 14.41pm on October 22 — showing the security manager of the building posing with the car.
“This shows that my car was, in fact, parked in the correct parking
The car was not parked in that spot, it was parked far away. I was at a meeting and had many bags carrying heavy catalogues so the driver pulled up for about 30 seconds so we could load the car. Balwinder Sahni
bay. I respect the law but people should know the truth. It was just unfortunate that the brief moment was videographed and misconstrued to the public.”
And Sahni said he will not keep quiet when it comes to his rights.
“I actually filed a case against the person who uploaded the video with the police today. A person should not be uploading such videos. My number plate is creating a lot of interest and they are using it in a negative way. It is sad.”
Lt-Gen. Khamis Mattar Al Mazeina, Commander-in-Chief of Dubai Police, confirmed that police did fine Sahni’s driver.
He explained the decision was made after watching the video and added “no one is above the law” when it comes to such violations.
“The police officials do not look at the car number plate when performing such duties.”
And if someone is parked incorrectly, fines will be issued, he said.
Speaking about the fine, Sahni said he understands how the video looked, but said he was “adamant to argue the case”.
“I felt so ashamed when the police called and asked about the incident because this is not something I would encourage anyone to do. I want to prove that the car was not parked there. I will be arguing the fine and will send on the evidence I have.”
Incorrect parking
During the first six months of this year, the Dubai Police have registered 4,215 fines against people incorrectly parked against special needs parking bays and fire exits.
Following the installation of modern radars to capture images and videos of cars violating parking conditions, the Dubai Police have received 12,431 traffic violations through its “We are all Police” programme.
Colonel Jamal Al Banai, Deputy-Director of the Dubai Traffic Department, said that the one who photographed the car should have sent the video to the Dubai Police rather than circulate it on social media. He did, however, say that people should not park in special needs parking spots and noted that Dubai Police have installed four devices at shopping malls that monitor the parking spots, warning people they have 20 seconds to leave the space.
20 seconds is the time given for an abled person to leave disabled parking space