Transport Department clarifies: Officials are empowered to impose fines by photographing violations

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Motor Vehicle Department officials are authorised to stop vehicles, inspect them, photograph violations, and issue fines for all types of traffic offences using the e-challan system, according to Transport Commissioner C.H. Nagaraju. This authority is granted under the Central Motor Vehicles Act.

The department issued a press release clarifying the fine collection procedure following widespread reports that taking photographs of moving vehicles and imposing fines for lack of documents is not permissible, and that officials could face action for doing so. The Transport Commissioner clarified that such claims were misleading, and officials do have the legal authority to enforce penalties in accordance with the law.