Close X
Wednesday, November 27, 2024
ADVT 
International

Indian-Origin Councillor Gurpal Atwal Banned As Taxi Driver In UK For Indecent Behaviour

IANS, 25 Jul, 2017 12:31 PM
    A 45-year-old Indian-origin Labour councillor in the UK has been banned from working as a taxi driver for a number of offences, including alleged indecent and racist behaviour.
     
     
    A court also heard Gurpal Atwal swore and made racist comments to a man as well as using unlicenced drivers to ferry children to school.
     
     
    Atwal, councillor for Oadby and Wigston in Leicester, was denied a licence to run a taxi firm in Leicester after a court heard a string of allegations, the Daily Mirror reported.
     
     
    Loughborough Magistrates Court ruled the Leicester City Councillor was "not fit and proper" to hold a taxi licence.
     
     
    "In essence, there were a number of allegations. From 2015, there was a consistent number of complaints, no charges, but alleged offences and contact with police. The council's single sole duty is to protect the public," Council legal representative Dave Gill said.
     
     
    “I was told your client is using unlicensed drivers on school runs and then he sat in his pants outside a swimming pool because he believes that's acceptable," Borough licensing enforcement officer Tracey Aldwinckle, said.
     
     
    Further alleged misdemeanours were outlined to the court last Friday, including claims of racism and that Atwal swore at a man.
     
     
    Anthony Schiller, defending, said there was "no indication" from any member of the public of aggressive or racist behaviour.
    He said his client has worked for over 20 years as a taxi driver in Leicester.
     
     
    The court heard Atwal owned a 50 per cent stake in Handsome Cars, in Leicester, and is taking his former business partner to high court in regards to a sum of about 300,000 pounds.
     
     
    "It's often said a business dispute can be worse than a divorce. You have to use the mythical scales of justice to make the decision," Schiller said.
     
     
    Atwal denied the accusations, claiming they were "all fabricated".
     
     
    "I am not a racist person. I treat everybody fairly. They [the statements] were all fabricated to discredit my character," he said.
     
     
    Judicial official refused to renew Atwal's taxi licence which runs out next year and ordered him to pay 1,250 pounds court costs. 

    MORE International ARTICLES

    Indian-Origin Teen Dies In Malaysia After Brutal Assault By Bullies, Mother Asks 'Why? Why? Why?'

    Indian-Origin Teen Dies In Malaysia After Brutal Assault By Bullies, Mother Asks 'Why? Why? Why?'
    Why must this happen to my son? What did he do to deserve this? Who am I going to scold? Who am I going to talk to? With whom am I going to share my sadness and happiness?

    Indian-Origin Teen Dies In Malaysia After Brutal Assault By Bullies, Mother Asks 'Why? Why? Why?'

    PICS: Gurunanak Darbar Gurudwara In UAE Holds Iftar For People Of All Religions

    PICS: Gurunanak Darbar Gurudwara In UAE Holds Iftar For People Of All Religions
    In a heart-warming gesture, a gurdwara here, the largest in the Gulf region, organised an Iftar where people of different religions and over 30 nationalities broke the Muslim fast together.

    PICS: Gurunanak Darbar Gurudwara In UAE Holds Iftar For People Of All Religions

    London Fire: Muslims Awake For Sehri In Ramzan Helped Save Many Lives

    London Fire: Muslims Awake For Sehri In Ramzan Helped Save Many Lives
    Muslim Residents Observing Ramadan Have Been Hailed As Heroes After They Helped Save Many Sleeping Neighbours From The Horrific Grenfell Tower Fire

    London Fire: Muslims Awake For Sehri In Ramzan Helped Save Many Lives

    Two Canadians Among Those Sought By U.S. Authorities Over Attack On Protesters

    Two Canadians Among Those Sought By U.S. Authorities Over Attack On Protesters
    WASHINGTON — Two Canadians are among more than a dozen people sought in connection with a violent attack on protesters during an official visit by Turkey's president in the U.S. capital last month.

    Two Canadians Among Those Sought By U.S. Authorities Over Attack On Protesters

    Canadian Soccer Star Cyle Larin Arrested For Drunk Driving In Florida

    Canadian Soccer Star Cyle Larin Arrested For Drunk Driving In Florida
    Canadian international Cyle Larin, a young MLS forward seen destined for European soccer glory, instead found himself in jail Thursday after being arrested on a drunk-driving charge.

    Canadian Soccer Star Cyle Larin Arrested For Drunk Driving In Florida

    79 Indians Invited To France As Language Assistants

    79 Indians Invited To France As Language Assistants
    A total of 79 Indian students have been selected for the French Education Ministry's English Language Assistants programme that will see participation of 60 countries.

    79 Indians Invited To France As Language Assistants