THIRUVANNATHAPURAM: The police have started releasing hundreds of vehicle seized in various police stations for violating lockdown restrictions. The first batch of vehicles released are the ones seized on the first day of the lockdown. However, the police while returning vehicles have taken undertakings from their owner that they will report at the police station, whenever they are summoned.

There are more than 25000 vehicles ‘stranded’ in various police stations. About 30 per cent of them will be released on the first day itself.

As per the Epidemic Diseases Act, the police have no right to seize a vehicle or impose fine on it owner . The police will get the power for this only if the current Ordinance in this regard is amended.

The police will take further steps only based on instructions from the government.