Using fake number plates lands Chandigarh Fortuner driver in jail for 3 years

A Judicial Magistrate First Class has sentenced a city resident to undergo three years of rigorous imprisonment for driving a car with fake registration number plates.An FIR against the convict, Saravdeep Singh, was registered for offences punishable under sections 188 (disobedience of orders given by public servants), 471 (using a forged document) and 473 (possessing counterfeit seals or plates) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) by the Sector 3 Police Station House Officer on April 10, 2020 on the complaint of a cop.

A police team had stopped the Fortuner driver at a beat box in Sector 10 during the Covid-19 pandemic. He failed to provide a satisfactory explanation for roaming outside amid the curfew, following which his car was impounded. When the car was checked, it was found that registration number plates affixed on the front and rear side of the vehicle had different numbers.

Following an investigation, a challan was presented in court. Charges were framed against the accused to which he did not plead guilty and claimed trial.

Counsel of the accused argued that he had been falsely implicated in the case. However, the public prosecutor argued that the prosecution has proved the case beyond a shadow of doubt.

After hearing the arguments, the court sentenced the driver to undergo three years of rigorous imprisonment while rejecting the plea of leniency. The court has also imposed a fine of Rs 5,200 on him.