Last Updated on April 23, 2021 at 4:41 pm
The drive by police to seize non-J&K registered vehicles in the Union Territory drew a flak by different quarters.
Even as the matter is in the court, the Regional Transport Officer (RTO) Kashmir, Akramullah Tak, has now admitted that seizures of such vehicles were not permitted under the law.
As per reports, RTO Kashmir Akramullah Tak said that there was no law under which vehicles registered outside Jammu and Kashmir could be seized.
If such vehicles have spent more than twelve months in Kashmir are merely liable for a fine under sections 47 and 50 of the Motor Vehicles Act, he said.
Reports suggested that under the law, failure to register after the time limit can only invite a fine of Rs 100 on the first instance and Rs 300 on subsequent challans. In Kashmir, however, the police have seized over 150 vehicles in a campaign citing the use of such vehicles in militant attacks.
As per a 27 March order, the RTO Kashmir had directed owners of vehicles registered outside J-K to again register with their concerned transport authority in Kashmir.
“All the vehicle owners who have purchased their vehicles bearing outside registration mark have to apply for a new registration mark as per the provisions of section 47/50 of Motor vehicles Act 1988 read with rule 54 of central motor vehicles Rules 1989 within the prescribed period,” the circular read.
J&K High Court on Thursday had reserved decision on pleas challenging government circular making mandatory the re-registration of vehicles brought to J&K from outside.
