Kolkata to book violators who put offensive and derogatory messages on vehicle
The Motor Vehicles Act prohibits writing on any surface, including the registration plate, of a car or two-wheeler, including stickers, messages, and other items.
Kolkata police has issued a warning to vehicle owners in the capital city of West Bengal through its social media handle X, formally Twitter, stating that those who display ‘offensive, obscene, derogatory messages on vehicles, posters, or photographs’ could face action under several sections of the Motor Vehicles Act or the newly introduced Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita. The warning highlights that displaying such messages on vehicles can lead to legal repercussions, emphasizing the importance of adhering to the regulations to avoid any penalties.
Kolkata police pulled up to X and displayed a car with a sign on it warning of legal violations of traffic laws and the possibility of a defamation lawsuit. “Believe a snake, not a girl” is written on a sticker located on the rear windshield of a Hyundai car. The police department said that many cars in the city are frequently seen driving about with stickers that can offend people based on caste, creed or gender.
“The car sticker you see in the image… caught the attention of one of our colleagues during his duty. Initially, he perceived malice and misogyny behind the supposed humour. Furthermore, such an openly provocative statement could be deemed defamation under the law, drawing penalties as per sections 499 IPC and 356(i) BNS,” Kolkata Police said in the post. In addition to individual vehicle owners, public transportation vehicles, such as buses and trucks, have also been ordered to stop posting such stickers or statements.
“By displaying such a generic and negative statement, was he not also demeaning women in his own family? Fortunately, he understood the real intent behind our request and removed the sticker immediately,” the post added.
The Motor Vehicles Act prohibits writing on any surface, including the registration plate, of a car or two-wheeler, including stickers, messages, and other items. The motor vehicles act forbids the use of certain stickers and writings, including those related to caste and religion, on automobiles (section 179 (1)).
The traffic police officer in Kolkata was drawn to the sticker on the Hyundai car, according to the police department. What at first made us laugh also seemed to be full of misogyny and hate. The car owner removed the sticker when the Kolkata police reached him; according to the police, the owner understood the purpose of the request and complied.
“We appreciate the cooperation from this fellow citizen and urge everyone to help maintain the stellar reputation of India’s safest city for women,” it concluded.
You might also be interested in – IIT Madras student travels from Chennai to Kolkata to avenge stray dog’s death
