A data shared by the Maharashtra police said that it collected Rs 53,06,050 from lockdown violators in a single day while trying to control the spread of the coronavirus in the state. Ever since the first lockdown imposition till July 3, Maharashtra Police collected a fine of Rs 10,32,34,611 from lockdown violators.
Milind Bharambhe, Inspector General of State Police (Law and Order) said, "Citizens of Mumbai, Thane and Navi Mumbai were the biggest contributors to these statistics since inter-district and regular movement of people in these cities are high. A lot of people continue to move out of their homes because of some misinformation of lockdown being lifted."
The lockdown violations included disobeying state regulations like riding pillion on a two-wheeler, travelling with more than three people in a four-wheeler, travelling without a valid reason, etc. The fines ranged from Rs 200 to Rs 2,000. Apart from fines, violators were also arrested under bailable sections 188, 269, 270, 271 of the Indian Penal Code and relevant sections of the Epidemic Act, the Disaster Management Act and Maharashtra COVID-19 Regulation, 2020.
So far, 1,45,896 cases under section 188 of the IPC have been filed, 88,306 vehicles have been impounded and 29,607 people have been arrested for violating the lockdown across the state.
Additional Commissioner of Police (Mumbai traffic police), Pravin Padwal said, "We take action under section 179 of the Motors Vehicle Act against those who are violating government orders. We impound violators' vehicles under sections 207 of the Motors Vehicle Act. At the time of releasing the impounded vehicle, we check for any unpaid e-challan on the vehicle and collect fine accordingly. We also collect fine from the violator if, during the checking, it is found that he has not done all compliance as per the traffic rules. This include PUC renewal, vehicles papers, license and insurance."
