Hyderabad: A large number of confiscated vehicles seized for traffic violations or crimes are gathering dust at 200 police stations spread over the Hyderabad, Cyberabad and Rachakonda commissionerates.
About two first information reports are registered at every police station every day while the numbers of cases are very high at traffic police stations pertaining to Motor Vehicle Act.
The law and order polices seize vehicles mostly in property crimes and bodily offences. Vehicles involved in accidents too are impounded at the police stations.
“The vehicles are dumped in front of the police station and narrow down the road. If there is space in the police station, the seized vehicles are kept there and those belonging to the policemen are kept on the road. Either way, the road in front of the police station is encroached,” said social activist M. Prakash Reddy.
“The police should work out a system wherein the unclaimed vehicles are sold and the amount is remitted in the banks. After trial, a decision should be taken about the money,” said a commuter.
A police official welcomed the idea, but said it would only invite more allegations against them. He explained that owners caught for traffic violations get the vehicles released by approaching court. “It is only in accident cases or major criminal cases that vehicles are kept in court custody. Only after a decision of the court we can auction them,” said a DCP rank official. He said a system for auctioning abandoned vehicles could be evolved, but the government would have to issue orders.
