Strict guidelines to prevent vehicle modification; pictures from different angles should be filed, says High Court

KOCHI: The High Court has issued further guidelines to detect modifications and unauthorized installation of display lights in passenger vehicles. The court directed the motor vehicle department to take colour photographs of the vehicles appearing for the fitness test from different angles and keep them in file. The order of the division bench comprising Justice Anil K Narendra and Justice Harishankar V Menon was given in a suo moto case regarding road safety.

Photographs of the vehicle's body, passenger area and driver's cabin should be kept on file. The wiring diagram should also be filed. This should be recorded while registering new vehicles as well. If modified vehicles are found on public roads, their fitness should be cancelled. The issue will be considered again after 10 days.

The government informed that 47 illegal lights were found on the private bus that hit three female students at the zebra line crossing in Kozhikode Madappally. A fine of Rs 5000 was levied for each light. Vadakara RTO and Koyilandy Jo.RTO who appeared in the High Court informed that the fitness certificate of the bus has been cancelled.