MALAPPURAM: The number of cases in which parents are getting punished for letting their minor children ride two-wheelers is on the rise. Vehicle owners will be fined and even jailed if children below 18 years of age are caught driving a vehicle by the police. Under the Motor Vehicle Act 199A of 1988, a person can be jailed for up to three years and fined up to Rs.25,000 if he allows a minor to drive his vehicle. The other day, the Manjeri Chief Judicial Magistrate Court sentenced 18 parents for violating this law.

Six out of these 18 parents are housewives. A total of Rs 5,07,750 was levied from the 18 persons as fines. The court also sentenced these persons to simple imprisonment until the rising of the court. While 6 persons were slapped with a fine of Rs 25,000 each, the other 12 were slapped with a fine of Rs 30,250 each.