The Maharashtra traffic police department has issued a crucial clarification to counter widespread misinformation circulating on social media. The department has firmly stated that no e-challan settlement cases will be taken up during the statewide Lok Adalat scheduled for December 13, 2025.
Official Clarification Against Misleading Claims
The office of the Additional Director General of Police (Traffic) in Mumbai released the statement to prevent citizens from falling prey to false promises. Authorities identified that several YouTube channels, Instagram pages, and other social media platforms were spreading incorrect claims. These posts falsely suggested that fines for electronic traffic challans would be either reduced or completely waived during the upcoming Lok Adalat.
Superintendent of Police (Headquarters) Sunil Bharadwaj, communicating on behalf of the ADGP (Traffic) office, provided clear guidance. He advised that if any individual's case has genuinely been listed for settlement by the district legal services authority, they should directly contact the concerned court or local traffic police for verification.
A History of Resolution Efforts and Current Warning
The police department acknowledged that efforts to resolve pending e-challan cases have been ongoing since 2021, with the approval of the Maharashtra State Legal Services Authority. However, officials have confirmed that no such cases are on the agenda for the December 13 event.
The authorities raised a significant concern regarding the potential for financial fraud stemming from this misinformation. Citizens are being urged to exercise extreme caution and not make any payments through unauthorised links shared on social media or messaging platforms.
Public Advisory and Safe Practices
The traffic department's advisory is emphatic and clear-cut. The public has been urged to disregard rumours or unofficial posts promising discounts or settlements on e-challans. The department reiterated that all authentic updates and official communications will be issued exclusively through verified government channels.
The final appeal from the police is for citizens to actively verify any such information before taking any action. This proactive step is essential to protect oneself from potential scams and to ensure compliance with genuine legal and regulatory procedures.
