January 13, 2007	Saturday	Zilhaj 22, 1427

NEW DELHI, Jan 12: An Indian traffic policeman has been transferred for trying to fine one of the country's biggest cricket stars, not realising that celebrities are sometimes above the law, newspapers reported on Friday.

Inspector Saifuddin Ahmed thought he was just doing his job when he stopped an expensive sports car in the eastern city of Ranchi for having dark tinted windows.

But sitting behind those windows was cricketer Mahendra Singh Dhoni, one of India’s hottest celebrities and a hero in his home state of Jharkhand, of which Ranchi is the capital.

Early reports said an unfazed Ahmed insisted Dhoni hand over the 900-rupee fine.

Local police have since backpedalled, saying Dhoni was allowed to drive on after waving a letter from local authorities giving him special dispensation to break the law.

Saifuddin Ahmed has now been transferred in what is an apparent demotion from the downtown commercial district to a downmarket residential bazaar, the Hindustan Times reported.

The state's chief minister was reported as saying that celebrities should expect special treatment when it comes to the law.

“The police should be liberal while dealing with persons of his stature,” Madhu Koda was quoted as saying by the newspaper. “What is the harm if a person of his standing uses a car with tinted glass windows?”—Reuters