A young engineering student from Kerala faced a shocking financial blow during his New Year celebrations in Bengaluru. Transport authorities imposed a hefty fine of Rs 1.1 lakh on him for driving an illegally modified car that spat flames and created excessive noise on city roads.
From Modest Purchase to Rolling Spectacle
The student, hailing from Kannur district, initially purchased a 2002 Honda City for just Rs 70,000. He then transformed the aging sedan into what he called a "Banger" through unauthorized modifications. These changes included a flashy new paint job, a tampered silencer, altered components, and bold graffiti declaring the car's nickname.
Social Media Ambitions Lead to Trouble
Driven by dreams of online fame, the student brought his modified vehicle to Bengaluru to celebrate New Year with friends. He frequently posted photos and reels on social media showing the car performing risky stunts, roaring through streets, and shooting flames from its exhaust. While some bystanders recorded videos and shared them online, many others filed complaints about the noisy and dangerous vehicle.
Traffic police officers confirmed they received multiple complaints about the disruptive car. "We located the vehicle at Bharatiya City in northeast Bengaluru," one officer explained. "Our inspection revealed serious violations including excessive noise and flames shooting from the exhaust, which created significant safety risks. The car had undergone major illegal modifications that attract heavy penalties."
Costly Consequences of Rule-Breaking
Following the police report, officials from the Yelahanka Regional Transport Office conducted their own inspection. They determined the violations warranted fines totaling more than the car's original purchase price. The student paid the Rs 1.1 lakh penalty before authorities released his vehicle, and he received a stern warning against repeating such behavior.
"For the sake of social media reels, he ended up spending more on fines than he did on buying the car," a police officer remarked. Authorities noted the same vehicle had reportedly been driven in Kerala for over a year without facing any action, highlighting how Bengaluru's enforcement caught what local authorities had missed.
Public Reaction and Safety Concerns
The incident sparked mixed reactions from the public. While some social media users initially amplified videos of the roaring, flame-spitting car, many Bengaluru residents expressed relief at the enforcement action. Traffic police emphasized that such modifications pose serious safety hazards, not just noise pollution concerns.
"Flames shooting from a vehicle's exhaust can easily ignite fires or cause burns to pedestrians and other motorists," explained an officer. "The excessive noise creates public nuisance, and unauthorized modifications compromise vehicle safety standards. These regulations exist for public protection, not just as revenue sources."
The case serves as a cautionary tale for young motorists tempted to modify vehicles for social media attention. What began as a New Year adventure turned into an expensive lesson about traffic regulations and public safety priorities in India's major cities.
