HYDERABAD: The city police officials are maintaining a data of first-time offenders during lockdown when it comes to venturing out on vehicles and seizing the same if they are caught violating the rules the second time. “Counselling and warning are given for the first time and their details are noted down by us,” said police officials manning check-posts, adding that they were photographing the vehicles before impoundment to avoid complaints from owners about mishandling.
Hyderabad city police officials said they were often giving the vehicles back in a few hours. “When caught roaming without any valid reason for the first time, we take a photo of the offenders, take the details down and counsel them about the risks of stepping out during such a deadly pandemic. We then let them off with a warning. However, when caught for the second time, we seize the vehicles,” police officials at the Begumpet check-post said, adding that as many as 500 vehicles were temporarily lodged in the parking lot of Hyderabad Public School.
When asked about the maintenance of seized vehicles, officials said photographs were captured before the vehicle was kept in custody and the same would be used as evidence if there were any damages while the vehicles were in custody.
Officials also revealed that there was an increase in the number of seized vehicles for the past one week. “We are seizing several vehicles during these checks and shifting them to the police grounds. The owners will collect them after due court procedures,” added the police.
