An FIR has been registered against an unknown person under the Motor Vehicles Act in connection with a traffic challan case involving a minor, after the Juvenile Justice Board (JJB) criticized the police for failing to take action against the vehicle's owner or the juvenile's guardian, despite clear legal provisions holding them accountable.
Background of the Incident
The case dates back to February 3, when a 16-year-old boy was intercepted near Fawara Chowk in Sohna. Officers noticed the loud noise from a modified silencer on the Bullet motorcycle he was riding with a pillion passenger. The teenager could not produce a driving license and abandoned the bike at the spot. His father, an advocate, arrived shortly after.
JJB Proceedings
The matter was taken up before the JJB, where the minor was declared a child in conflict with law by the area magistrate on April 17. During proceedings, principal magistrate Jyoti Grover questioned challaning officer SI Rajbir about whether any investigation had been conducted against the vehicle owner or the guardian. She asked why neither was made an accused in the case. The officer failed to provide satisfactory answers.
The board directed the police to register an FIR against the father of the juvenile within 24 hours and submit a final police report before the area magistrate after investigation. Accordingly, Sohna City police registered FIR No. 215 on May 20, a day after the board's directions on May 19, under Section 199A(1) of the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, 2019. This section holds the guardian or owner of a vehicle liable for offenses committed by a juvenile and provides for punishment accordingly.
Investigation Details
No one has been named in the FIR. A senior police officer explained that the investigation is now focused on establishing legal responsibility. "We have registered the FIR against an unknown person because the registered owner of the bike is one Krishan, while the minor's father has a different name. Notices will be sent to both. The concerned person will be nominated during the course of the investigation," the officer said.
Legal Provisions
Section 199A of the Motor Vehicles Act makes guardians or vehicle owners liable when a juvenile is found committing offenses under the Act. The provision prescribes up to three years' imprisonment and a fine of ₹25,000 in certain cases. It also provides for cancellation of the vehicle's registration for one year and bars the juvenile from obtaining a driving license until the age of 25 in specified circumstances.
