Police Commissioner justifies cop’s action in seizing vehicle of ‘MV Act violator’

Bhubaneswar: Few days after media highlighted an incident during which a police official snatched keys of the two-wheeler of a woman motorist in Bhubaneswar, Twin City Police Commissioner Sudhanshu Sarangi today clarified about the powers of the police relating to seizure and arrest under the Motor Vehicle Act.

In a statement, the Police Commissioner said seizure means taking control or possession of the vehicle including all its component parts like tyre, tube, engine, key etc whereas arrest means restraining a person without consent, by a lawful authority.

A motor vehicle can be seized under Section 207 MV Act 1988 for violation under Section 3 (not having valid DL), Section 4 (underage). Section 39 (without registration) or Section 66(i) (plying of transport vehicle without permit), the statement read.

It further read police can arrest driver of a motor vehicle without warrant under Section 202 of MV act for commission of violations under section 184 (dangerous driving), under section 185 (drunken driving) and under section 197 MV Act (taking vehicle without consent of the owner). Driving against the normal flow of traffic is dangerous driving.

Police can detain an uninsured vehicle till it is insured as per guidelines of the Supreme Court.

Vehicles involved in criminal cases can be seized under Sections 100, 102 and 165 of the criminal procedure code.

A vehicle can be towed away under Section 126 and 127 of the MV Act when it is left unattended or abandoned at public places.

Police is also authorized to impound driving license under Section 206 of MV Act in case of commission of any violation under MV Act and there is reasonable possibility of absconding or jumping of summons on the part of the violator, the statement added.