August 21: The Traffic Police City Jammu has issued a strict public notice warning vehicle owners against masking or tampering with registration number plates, terming it a serious violation of the Motor Vehicles Act as well as an offence under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).According to the notice issued by Farooq Qaiser, Sr. Superintendent of Police, Traffic City Jammu, it has been observed that a large number of vehicles in District Jammu are plying with masked or altered registration plates to evade detection by surveillance cameras and challaning authorities.The order highlights that offenders often cover number plates with hands, bags, face masks, stickers, tapes, mud or dirt, or alter/conceal digits and alphabets. Some even bend plates to make them unreadable, use fake numbers, or remove plates altogether.The notice warns that such practices are not only aimed at avoiding traffic penalties but are also misused by criminals in cases of abduction, chain snatching, hit-and-run, theft, robbery, and even by anti-national elements to commit terrorist acts.Citing Section 39/192 of the MV Act, the police stated that violators will face a fine of ₹5,000 for the first offence and ₹10,000 for repeat offences. Additionally, provisions of BNS relating to forgery and cheating may also apply, leading to registration of FIRs.The public has been given three days’ time from the issuance of the notice to comply and ensure their number plates are clear and as per law. Failing this, strict legal action will be taken.The SSP Traffic Jammu appealed to all citizens to cooperate in maintaining law and order and to desist from such unlawful practices immediately.
Traffic Police Issues Stern Warning Against Masking, Tampering of Vehicle Number Plates in Jammu
