Uttar Pradesh Police Issues Incorrect ₹20 Lakh Fine to Scooter Rider

In a peculiar incident in Muzaffarnagar district, Uttar Pradesh, a scooter rider received a traffic fine of ₹20,74,000, which quickly went viral online. The incident occurred on November 4 at the Gandhi Colony police post under the jurisdiction of the Nai Mandi police station. Anmol Singhal, the scooter owner, was cited for riding without a helmet, lacking a driving licence, and failing to present the necessary vehicle documentation.

Following the issuance of the fine, the police confiscated the scooter. Singhal shared an image of the fine on social media, which rapidly gained traction and sparked widespread amusement as well as disbelief regarding the exorbitant amount for what were deemed minor violations.

After the post gained significant attention, senior officials from the Muzaffarnagar police stepped in to address the situation. They confirmed that the hefty fine resulted from a clerical error during the preparation of the digital challan. According to police sources, the sub-inspector who issued the fine incorrectly entered the section number into the wrong field, inflating the penalty amount.

The officer intended to apply Section 207 of the Motor Vehicles Act, which permits a maximum penalty of ₹4,000 for the cited violations. However, instead of entering the correct fine, the officer mistakenly placed the section number itself into the amount field, leading to the absurd figure of ₹20,74,000.

Atul Choubey, the Superintendent of Police (Traffic), commented on the error, stating, "Vehicle checks were being carried out by the sub-inspector when a scooter lacking proper documentation was stopped. Section 207 of the Motor Vehicles Act was to be applied, yet the officer omitted 'MV', causing the number '207' to be added to the fine amount. The error has since been rectified."

He further clarified that while the scooter had been seized in accordance with the Motor Vehicles Act, the actual fine payable was merely ₹4,000. "This was an inadvertent typographical mistake. A correction has been made, and an initial inquiry has determined there was no malicious intent. Further investigation will be conducted, and appropriate action will be taken if any negligence is discovered," Choubey added.

The incident has prompted a wave of laughter and incredulity on social media, with many users dubbing it "India's most expensive scooter fine." The case highlights the importance of accuracy in administrative processes, particularly within law enforcement agencies. As of now, Singhal’s scooter remains impounded, and the family is yet to settle the corrected fine of ₹4,000, as confirmed by Singhal's father, Sanjeev Kumar, who expressed his shock at the initial figure.

"It was astonishing to receive such a hefty fine for my son not wearing a helmet and lacking the vehicle documents. Fortunately, the police later clarified it was a clerical mistake and have sent us a ₹4,000 challan, which we are still to pay," Kumar stated.