Vaid is a Vigilance Officer with the National Thermal Power Corporation. ``I was returning from office in my Maruti car in the evening. Near the Old Fort area, on Mathura Road, I stopped behind three or four cars because the traffic light ahead was red. Suddenly I heard someone honking furiously behind me,'' says Vaid.

He turned around and saw the pilot car of Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit's motorcade behind his car. Vaid says he gestured, trying to explain that there was no room for him to move his car.

``The driver in the pilot car turned on the siren. I got out and entered into an argument with him. He finally seemed convinced. The light turned green, and as the cars ahead started moving, the motorcade sped away,'' says Vaid.

At the next crossing, just near Paragati Maidan, Vaid realised that the CM's driver and her police escorts weren't convinced enough. A group of policemen flagged him down. They had received a message from the CM's escort.

``One of the policemen accused me of overtaking the CM's car. Another said I would be challaned. I tried to explain what had actually happened, but they refused to listen,'' says Vaid. Finally, a traffic inspector intervened. ``He told me he was helpless. There was a wireless message from the CM's escort. He said he had to show results, but would fine me only Rs 100. So he issued a challan (no: P-066224)''.

Vaid adds: ``The money does not matter. It's my pride as a citizenthat has been hurt. I did dot do anything wrong. I am also a government official and a commoner. Do only the big people have all the rights, even at red lights?''Traffic Inspector (Tilak Marg circle) Ashok Kuma Gera, who was in charge of the police team which challaned Vaid, says: `` We were acting on the complaint made by the CM's escort to the PCR. They said Vaid had overtaken the motorcade from the left. Vaid claims there was a red light and he could not move his car. How do we know who is right and who is wrong?''