Cops start releasing vehicles seized for lockdown violations

A circular from State police DGP JK Tripathy on Thursday said police would start returning vehicles through local stations from 7 am to 1 pm. Explaining the modalities, the DGP said 10 vehicles could be released every 30 minutes.

The owners should maintain social distancing while gathering to collect their vehicles from respective police stations.

The owners would receive message on their mobile phones, which would have the details of time and date to collect their vehicles. When they appear to collect the vehicles, owners must carry their original driving licence, original RC book and copy of the FIR.

Across the State, the police have seized more than 1.8 lakh vehicles in the last three weeks since the shutdown was imposed. 

Meanwhile in Tiruchy, the district police handed over 486 vehicles to their owners on Thursday. According to officials, the district police have so far registered 28,326 cases and seized 8,545 vehicles since the shutdown.

On Thursday, the owners of the vehicles that were seized on March 24 and 25 were informed to approach the local stations to get their vehicles back. They were given a form, and were asked to fill the particulars, including the vehicle details and declaration of receiving the vehicle. 

After they produced the documents, 486 vehicles were returned. They were spit into batches of 10, and the police had also arranged seating arrangements to ensure social distancing was maintained. When information spread about the release of vehicles, a large number of people gathered at the District SP office. The officials there directed them to approach the local stations on the dates announced by the district police. On Friday, the vehicles that were seized on March 26 and 27 would be handed over 

Around Rs 89.23 lakh has been collected as fine from lockdown violators so far in the State. As many as 1.80 lakh vehicles have been seized and 2.08 lakh arrested as a measure to keep the motorists off the road. In Chennai city, police booked 1,190 cases against people violating Section 144 and seized 996 vehicles including 845 two-wheelers.