Munish Sood
Mandi
In a crackdown that has grabbed statewide attention, Hamirpur Police have issued a staggering ₹1 lakh challan to the driver of an Alto car for illegal modification — a penalty being described as one of the highest-value traffic fines ever imposed by the district police and among the biggest in Himachal Pradesh’s history.
What has made the case even more striking is the fact that an Alto’s market value is usually around ₹4 lakh, while a second-hand model can cost as little as ₹1 lakh. The challan amount, therefore, has left many locals stunned, as the fine nearly matches the car’s resale price.
The action was taken during a special checking drive at Gandhi Chowk, where police found the vehicle fitted with unauthorized tyres and tampering with its original body structure. Officials said these alterations were made without approval from the RTO or any competent authority.
The driver has been booked under Section 182A(1) of the Motor Vehicle Act, which deals with unlawful vehicle modifications.
Hamirpur Superintendent of Police Balbir Singh said such changes are not just illegal but dangerous. “Unauthorized modifications pose a serious threat to road safety. Traffic violations will not be tolerated, and strict enforcement drives will continue,” he stated.
The incident has sparked widespread debate, as such a massive challan is rare in the state.
It may be recalled that a similar high-value penalty was earlier imposed in Sundernagar (Mandi district), where police fined a Thar vehicle ₹1.05 lakh on December 5, 2024, at Dhanotu. That case had also triggered controversy, with allegations of retaliatory action, and the vehicle owner later met the SP.
Police officials in Hamirpur have once again urged motorists to avoid illegal modifications, stressing that traffic laws are designed for public safety, not just fines.
Under Indian motor vehicle rules, modifications such as oversized tyres, pressure horns, high-intensity LED lights, altered silencers, engine changes, or structural alterations without RTO permission are illegal and can attract heavy penalties.
Hamirpur Police have warned that special drives will continue and anyone found violating rules will face strict legal action.
