Hyderabad motorist moves HC over 'excessive' Rs 1,200 fine for triple riding

Hyderabad: Alleging that the Hyderabad Traffic Police (HTP) is issuing challans far beyond the penalties allowed under law, a city resident has moved the Telangana High Court questioning a Rs 1,200 fine for a two-wheeler offence that, under the Motor Vehicles Act, attracts only Rs 100–Rs 300.

Petitioner flags violation of Motor Vehicles Act

Raghavendra Chary filed Writ Petition No 26655 of 2025, stating that on March 17, he was penalised Rs 1,200 after riding with two pillion riders.

He maintains that Section 177 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, prescribes a much lower penalty for such an offence, making the fine unlawful.

Court directs State to explain

The High Court has granted the Government Pleader for the Home Department one week to submit an explanation on why penalties exceeding statutory limits are being levied by the traffic police.

Allegations of revenue-driven policing

Representing the petitioner, advocate Vijay Gopal argued that the HTP has been ‘on a spree of imposing illegal challans amounting to thousands of rupees, with an intent to instil fear among motorists.’

He added, “No citizen can be punished with fines other than those provided by law. The traffic police have lost sight of regulating traffic and are acting with malicious intent to generate revenue.”

Wider ramifications

The petition has drawn attention from other motorists who allege similar overcharging. The High Court’s forthcoming decision could set an important precedent on how traffic penalties are enforced in Telangana.