Those who give fake names and addresses to avoid fines will be imprisoned for three years

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: From now on, those who try to avoid fines for traffic violations by giving fake names and addresses will get severe punishment. A criminal case will be registered against them for impersonation. As a result, they may be sentenced to imprisonment for up to three years, a fine or both.

A controversy had erupted after a youth, who was caught by the police not wearing a seatbelt, gave the address of Ram, son of Dasaratha of Ayodhya. Video footage of the incident also showed the police slapping a fine of Rs 500 after writing down the name and address mentioned by the youth. After the video became viral on social media, the police registered a case against Nandakumar, a native of Kattakada, the owner of the car. The case is under sections 419 (impersonation) of the Indian Penal Code, 121 of the Kerala Police Act and 179 of the Motor Vehicles Act. These are bailable offences. The DGP has also directed that the vehicle inspection be fully recorded on camera to detect fraudsters.