Home Guards, Armed Reserve police not authorised to conduct vehicle checks: KPCA writes to DG&IGP

Taking cognisance of a serious concern over alleged illegal vehicle checking by Home Guards and Armed Reserve police personnel in the State, Karnataka State Police Complaints’ Authority member Mohan Kumar Danappa has written to the Director-General and Inspector-General of Police (DG-IGP), urging immediate action to curb such practices.

In his letter, Mr. Danappa highlighted that under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, and Karnataka Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989, only officers of the rank of assistant sub-inspector and above are authorised to conduct vehicle inspections and impose penalties. Police constables and head constables are permitted to issue traffic challans based on FTVR (Form of Traffic Violation Report) and can serve notices under Section 133 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988.