Ludhiana set to lead disposal of unclaimed, impounded vehicles at police stations

As the Punjab Police is set to clear the clutter of impounded and unclaimed vehicles lying at police stations in the state, Police Commissionerate, Ludhiana, is set to lead with disposal of maximum vehicles.

Data prepared by the DGP Traffic, Punjab, states that Punjab has 424 police stations, where more than 75,000 vehicles (two and four wheelers) are lying in and outside the police stations for years. Due to lack of space and poor upkeep, most vehicles are now in poor shape and even some of their parts are missing. Now, in the new initiative taken by the DGP Traffic AS Rai, which is being technically implemented by DSP Gurdev Singh, as many as 35,323 vehicles are set to be disposed of in the first phase, either through auction or can be claimed by the vehicle owner during the disposal process. Most vehicles were impounded in accident cases, traffic rules violations, theft cases and other crimes.

As per information, of over 35,000 vehicles, Ludhiana city police has the maximum 7,039 vehicles followed by 3,841 in SAS Nagar, 3,388 in Ludhiana city, 2,352 in Fazilka, 1,679 in Mansa, 1,656 in Bathinda, 1,558 in Khanna, 1,510 in Tarn Taran and 985 in Fatehgarh Sahib.

Confirming to The Tribune here on Tuesday, DGP Traffic AS Rai said that these vehicles would be disposed of by following the due procedure of court. Rai said that the BNSS, earlier called CrPC, grants power to the police station to send list of vehicles to be disposed of to court within 15 days of impounding or seizing the same in any crime, and this also empowers the owner of vehicles that he/she can start the process to claim possession of vehicles within 15 days and police will help the owners in the entire legal process. Now under the new law, vehicles needs not be kept at a police station for evidence as digital proof has also been made valid in the new law.

DSP Gurdev Singh said that the BNSS also had the provision that if a vehicle was auctioned and the owner, who earlier didn’t come to claim the possession, turned up at the police station later, then the auction amount of vehicle deposited in the treasury could be claimed by the owner.

Why vehicles keep piling up at police stations?

Vehicles keep piling up at police stations as due to high fines most people do not come to get their vehicles released because they can easily get a second-hand car for an amount less than the fine imposed on the same. For example, a challan of Rs 30,000 was imposed on a car worth Rs 20,000. In such a situation, the owners thought it better to leave the vehicles instead of getting them released. This is the reason why today, heaps of vehicles can be seen parked at various places in the police stations. According to estimates, about 80% of the vehicles have outstanding fines more than the current price.