Modified Mahindra Thar Owner Rescues Cars Trapped In Floods: Questions Govt For Fining 'Functional Mods' [Video]
The northern parts of India are witnessing heavy rains due to numerous cloudbursts. Recently, a new video has been shared from Jammu where a modified Mahindra Thar three-door was seen rescuing a few vehicles that got stuck on the road due to a heavy waterfall from the mountains. The owner of this particular Mahindra Thar also took a dig at the recent crackdown on modified cars in Jammu.
Mahindra Thar rescues Maruti 800 and Renault Kiger
This video, showing a modified Mahindra Thar rescuing two cars in Jammu, has been shared on Instagram by I am Rohit Singh Bali on their page. It starts off with the Mahindra Thar three-door being positioned in reverse to rescue a Maruti 800 hatchback. This car had stopped on the road due to excess water from the mountain.
Thankfully, the Thar driver arrived on time and helped this Maruti 800 owner. It can be seen that a thick rescue strap was attached to the rear end of the Maruti 800 as well as the Thar. What happens next is that during the pull, the rear bumper of the hatchback breaks in half. However, the Thar driver continues pulling the car.
As a result, the vehicle comes out of the waterlogged road. Soon after this, the video then shows another rescue by the Thar. This time around, a Renault Kiger compact SUV gets stuck on the same waterlogged road. And just like before, this time around as well, the Thar was easily able to rescue the Kiger.
Thar owner takes a dig at Jammu police for mods
In the caption of this video, the owner stated, “That’s why some practical mods are important. Now where is SSP Traffic? Maybe busy with fines and seizing modified vehicles. Where is government machinery?” This particular caption is centered on the recent statements and actions of the Jammu police, which has been cracking down on modified cars and their owners.
Recently, SSP Traffic Jammu Farooq Qaiser stated that modifications altering a vehicle's basic structure are illegal and will lead to strict action. It was added that unauthorized vehicle modifications that compromise the vehicle's original structure are punishable under the Motor Vehicles Act. It was also stated that these mods must be removed before modified vehicles are returned to owners.
Prior to this, the district magistrate of Jammu stated, “In exercise of powers conferred upon me under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, I do hereby order that the sale, purchase, storage, distribution, and display for sale of all motor vehicle accessories which are intended or likely to be used for unauthorized modifications are hereby prohibited within the territorial jurisdiction of District Jammu, with immediate effect.”
Over the last few weeks, numerous modified vehicles have been seized by the police authorities in Jammu, and the owners have been heavily fined. Additionally, accessories and fittings like oversized tyres, pressure horns, musical horns, metallic bumpers, high-intensity halogen lights, tinted or reflective window films, roof rail spoilers, and modified exhausts have been banned for sale in Jammu, and shops cannot keep them even on display.
Is this ban on modified cars fair?
According to many car owners, modifying cars should not be illegal in India. Yes, there are some modifications that cause issues for others, such as high-power LED headlights and some others. However, most modifications are either aesthetic or functional (off-road tyres, wheels, winch, and others). So a blanket ban on everything is condemned by most vehicle owners.