What To Do If Cops Stop Your Vehicle For Inspection: Advocate Explains

In India, we have come across several instances where cops were deliberately seen misusing their power and authority over motorists. In some cases, they are even known to physically assault or take bribes from motorists. Because of this, most people feel anxious when they see cops on the road. Here, we have a video posted by a lawyer who shares what to do if cops stop your vehicle for inspection.

The video has been posted by Advocate Desk on their YouTube channel. In this video, Advocate Rao Vikasveer, a practicing lawyer at the Delhi High Court and the Supreme Court of India, is seen talking about what to do when a cop pulls you over.

In the video, we see a cop beating the driver of a Maruti Zen hatchback. It is not clear if this is a recent incident or an old video that has now gone viral on the internet. After this, the advocate explains the scenario and what to do in such situations.

The advocate starts the video by asking a question: Can you say no to a traffic cop who asks for the documents of your vehicle? The answer is yes you can say no to a cop, but only under certain conditions. This can only happen if the officer is not in uniform, is missing a name badge, or refuses to share his ID. If the officer refuses to show any kind of identification, you have the right to politely refuse to comply.

He also mentions that only an inspector or an officer above that rank has the right to physically seize your driving license. He adds that the cop does not have the right to forcefully pull you out of the vehicle. If you feel that the officer who has pulled you over is misbehaving or unnecessarily creating issues, you have the right to record a video, as it can be used as evidence against the officer.

The advocate, through his video, is trying to educate road users and remove fear from their hearts and minds. If you are pulled over by an officer, the first thing to do is obey and stop your vehicle. You can ask the officer the reason for the stop and try to remain calm - do not argue with the officer.

The officer should tell you the reason. If he doesn’t give you a clear answer and you feel the stop was unreasonable, you can file a complaint with the Police Complaints Authority or seek legal counsel.

You can ask for the ID, name, and rank of the officer, and you can also file a complaint if he or she demands a bribe. If you are recording video for evidence purposes, ensure that you are not obstructing the officer from doing his duty and that the recording is done in a public place.

Above all, try to remain calm in these situations. Even a small mistake on your part can be used against you.