Kerala Student Hit with Hefty Rs 1.11 Lakh Fine for Illegal Car Modifications in Bengaluru
A Kerala student celebrating the New Year in Bengaluru has learned a costly lesson about vehicle regulations. The Yelahanka Regional Transport Office imposed a substantial fine of Rs 1,11,500 on the student for multiple violations of the Motor Vehicles Act.
Social Media Videos Trigger Police Action
The case first emerged on January 2 when the student drove his modified car along Hennur Road. Videos quickly spread across social media platforms showing dramatic flames shooting from the exhaust and capturing the vehicle's excessively loud noise.
Concerned passersby alerted local traffic police about the disruptive vehicle. Acting on these reports and the visual evidence, Hennur traffic police officers tracked down and intercepted the car.
The police immediately seized the vehicle for detailed examination. They discovered the student had made several unauthorized modifications to his 2002 model car.
Deliberate Maximum Penalty to Set Precedent
Traffic police officers decided this case warranted more than routine handling. They formally informed the relevant RTO about the violations on January 3, ensuring the maximum legal penalty could be applied.
"This was a clear case of illegal modification," explained a traffic police officer. "Rather than booking a routine case, we chose to involve the RTO so that the maximum penalty permissible under the law could be imposed."
The officer highlighted the significant disparity between the fine amount and the vehicle's actual value: "The vehicle is a 2002 model, and its current market value will be around Rs 70,000 only."
Police officials stated they deliberately sought the steep penalty to establish a strong precedent. They hope this action will deter other motorists from violating vehicle rules and endangering public safety through similar modifications.
Specific Violations and Legal Consequences
The student faced penalties for two primary violations:
- Illegal modification of the car's silencer system
- Unauthorized repainting of the vehicle without proper permission
Following standard procedures, RTO officials applied the maximum penalty under relevant provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act. The Rs 1.11 lakh fine represents one of the more substantial penalties recently imposed for vehicle modification violations in the region.
This incident serves as a stark reminder to vehicle owners across India about the serious consequences of making illegal modifications to their cars and motorcycles.
