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Kerala HC pulls up MVD over inaction against modified SUV used in flood rescue
The Kerala High Court has pulled up the Motor Vehicles Department for imposing only a minimal fine on a modified SUV used in flood rescue operations, despite multiple unauthorised alterations. The court highlighted pending e-challans and directed stricter enforcement of vehicle modification rules.
The Kerala High Court has criticised the Motor Vehicles Department (MVD) for its failure to take effective action against a modified SUV fitted with unauthorised lights and other alterations, which was used in flood rescue operations in Aranmula earlier this month. A division bench comprising Justice Anil K Narendran and Justice Muralee Krishna S heard cases related to road safety and illegal vehicle alterations, and examined the Transport Commissioner's report on the vehicle and the action taken against it on August 21.
The vehicle came to the court's notice after two MVD officials in Adoor were suspended for issuing a challan against it for illegal alterations and lack of a pollution certificate while it was returning from a flood rescue operation.
Fine and Violations
According to the transport commissioner's report dated August 20, 2026, the MVD Enforcement Wing had imposed only a Rs 5,000 fine on the vehicle, despite it being fitted with six unauthorised additional lights. The court noted that this was contrary to repeated directions from the court regarding such violations.
The bench observed that the MVD Enforcement Wing and police had failed to take action against vehicles being used in public places with wheels projecting laterally beyond the protection provided by the vehicle's body, wings or protective covers. Such modifications can cause mud or water to be thrown up, endangering cyclists, two-wheeler riders and pedestrians.
Pending E-Challan and Court Directions
The court also noted that an e-challan issued against the vehicle on March 11, 2024, remained pending, and that the vehicle had again been used in a public place with unauthorised lights and other fittings, posing a serious threat to other road users.
The special government pleader submitted that a proper report from the transport commissioner would be placed on record and sought additional time to do so. The court directed the MVD Enforcement Wing and the police to take necessary steps to ensure strict compliance with its earlier directions on vehicle modifications.
The case will be taken up again on September 7.
How each outlet told it
Deccan Chronicle
Framing: Headline criticizes the MVD for inaction against a modified SUV used in flood rescue. It omits the amount of the fine and the specific number of violations. — Critical of the MVD's enforcement, supported by the court's observations: 'failed to take effective action' and 'posing a serious threat to other road users.'
Facts Included:
Kerala High Court criticised MVD for failing to take effective action against a modified SUV fitted with unauthorised lights and other alterations, used in flood rescue operations in Aranmula earlier this month.
A division bench comprising Justice Anil K Narendran and Justice Muralee Krishna S heard cases relating to road safety and illegal vehicle alterations and examined the Transport Commissioner's report on the vehicle and the action taken against it on August 21.
The private vehicle came to the court's notice after two Motor Vehicles Department officials in Adoor were suspended for issuing a challan against it for illegal alterations and lack of a pollution certificate while it was returning from a flood rescue operation.
The transport commissioner's report dated August 20, 2026, said the MVD Enforcement Wing had imposed only a Rs 5,000 fine on the vehicle, despite it being fitted with six unauthorised additional lights and repeated directions from the court.
The bench observed that the MVD Enforcement Wing and police had failed to take action against vehicles being used in public places with wheels projecting laterally beyond the protection provided by the vehicle's body, wings or protective covers, potentially causing mud or water to be thrown up and endangering cyclists, two-wheeler riders and pedestrians.
The court noted that an e-challan issued against the vehicle on March 11, 2024, remained pending, and that it had again been used in a public place with unauthorised lights and other fittings, posing a serious threat to other road users.
The special government pleader submitted that a proper report from the transport commissioner would be placed on record and sought additional time to do so.
The court directed the MVD Enforcement Wing and police to take necessary steps to ensure strict compliance with its earlier directions on vehicle modifications.
The case will be taken up again on September 7.
The vehicle was used in flood rescue operations in Aranmula earlier this month.
Framing: Emphasizes the court's criticism of the MVD for failing to take effective action against a modified SUV used in flood rescue, without specifying the fine amount or the vehicle model. — Critical but largely neutral; quotes court observations without editorialising.
Facts Included:
Kerala High Court criticised the MVD for failing to take effective action against a modified SUV fitted with unauthorised lights and alterations, used in flood rescue operations in Aranmula earlier this month.
A division bench comprising Justice Anil K Narendran and Justice Muralee Krishna S heard cases relating to road safety and illegal vehicle alterations and examined the Transport Commissioner's report on August 21.
The vehicle came to the court's notice after two Motor Vehicles Department officials in Adoor were suspended for issuing a challan for illegal alterations and lack of pollution certificate while vehicle was returning from flood rescue operation.
Transport commissioner's report dated August 20, 2026 stated the MVD Enforcement Wing had imposed only a Rs 5,000 fine on the vehicle, despite it being fitted with six unauthorised additional lights and repeated directions from the court.
The bench observed that MVD Enforcement Wing and police had failed to take action against vehicles used in public places with wheels projecting laterally beyond the protection provided by the vehicle's body, wings or protective covers, potentially causing mud or water to be thrown up and endangering cyclists, two-wheeler riders and pedestrians.
An e-challan issued against the vehicle on March 11, 2024, remained pending, and that it had again been used in a public place with unauthorised lights and other fittings, posing a serious threat to other road users.
The special government pleader submitted that a proper report from the transport commissioner would be placed on record and sought additional time.
The court directed the MVD Enforcement Wing and the police to take necessary steps to ensure strict compliance with its earlier directions on vehicle modifications.
The case will be taken up again on September 7.
The article is auto-generated from PTI news service.
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Claim
Confidence
Status
ClaimThe Kerala High Court criticised the Motor Vehicles Department (MVD) for failing to take effective action against a modified SUV fitted with unauthorised lights and other alterations, which was used in flood rescue operations in Aranmula earlier this month.
ClaimA division bench comprising Justice Anil K Narendran and Justice Muralee Krishna S heard cases relating to road safety and illegal vehicle alterations and examined the Transport Commissioner's report on the vehicle and the action taken against it on August 21.
ClaimThe private vehicle came to the court's notice after two Motor Vehicles Department officials in Adoor were suspended for issuing a challan against it for illegal alterations and lack of a pollution certificate while it was returning from a flood rescue operation.
ClaimThe transport commissioner's report dated August 20, 2026, said the MVD Enforcement Wing had imposed only a Rs 5,000 fine on the vehicle, despite it being fitted with six unauthorised additional lights and repeated directions from the court.
ClaimThe bench observed that the MVD Enforcement Wing and police had failed to take action against vehicles being used in public places with wheels projecting laterally beyond the protection provided by the vehicle's body, wings or protective covers, potentially causing mud or water to be thrown up and endangering cyclists, two-wheeler riders and pedestrians.
ClaimThe court noted that an e-challan issued against the vehicle on March 11, 2024, remained pending, and that it had again been used in a public place with unauthorised lights and other fittings, posing a serious threat to other road users.
ClaimThe special government pleader submitted that a proper report from the transport commissioner would be placed on record and sought additional time to do so.
ClaimThe court directed the MVD Enforcement Wing and the police to take necessary steps to ensure strict compliance with its earlier directions on vehicle modifications.
ClaimFollowing protests from the officials, who pointed out that the vehicle's owner was a repeat offender and had been fined in 2024 and 2026 for similar violations, the MVD revoked their suspension.
ClaimThe Special Government Pleader informed the court that the Thar had been fined ₹5,000 as a consolidated amount for six unauthorised lights and ₹2,000 for a Pollution Under Control (PUC) violation.
ClaimThe court observed that the applicable rules prescribe a fine of ₹5,000 for each unauthorised alteration, including multi-coloured LED lights, neon lights, laser lights, flashlights, strobe lights and flashing LED board boards fitted to the vehicle's exterior, driver cabin or passenger compartment.