Kochi: The controversy over covering car windows by the Angamaly Diaries crew on Saturday was not a one-off incident but, in fact, motorists have increasingly started dressing up car window panes, showing scant regard for the apex court direction in 2012. The figures with the Motor Vehicle Department (MVD) bear this out with as many as 572 cases in Ernakulam district alone being lodged in the last three months for the offence.
“While a total of 525 cases were registered under the Ernakulam Regional Transport Office and the five sub-RTOs under it, the Muvattupuzha RTO and its two sub-RTOs lodged a mere 47 cases during the period,” according to MVD figures which shows that the practice is more common in urban areas. The list was topped by the Ernakulam RTO with 308 cases (54 per cent) while Mattancherry sub-RTO recorded 87 cases followed by North Paravur sub RTO with 82 cases. Interestingly, motorists have now found a way to dodge the police and MVD officers by drawing curtains covering window panes instead of using sun films.
“Both serve the same purpose of obstructing visibility from outside and amounts to violation of law. A penalty of Rs 500 will be levied besides asking vehicles to remove the glass covering. We will launch an intense campaign in the coming days,” a Motor Vehicle inspector with Ernakulam Enforcement squad said. “The law clearly states that windowpanes should not be covered using a sticker or by any other means. The covering of the vehicle glasses using cinema posters amounts to an offence under the Motor Vehicles Act and the Supreme Court has also made a similar observation,” said Ernakulam rural superintendent A.V. George.
