High Court To Cops: Seize Audi, Toyota Fortuner, And Mahindra Thar For Stunting In College

Kerala is set to celebrate Onam, a highly auspicious festival. Ahead of the same, various educational institutions have been organizing celebrations in the past few days. As history goes, these often turn into pompous (and dangerous) showcases of expensive cars and motorcycles. Two such incidents this year have made the honourable High Court direct the state to seize the vehicles and take further actions against the people involved. Before we go into the details, here’s a video of the controversial Onam celebrations from Farook college in Calicut.

As seen in the video, the students organized a premium car rally, as part of the celebrations. The convoy can be seen driving dangerously through public roads, honking and not adhering to any road or traffic rules. Audi A4, A6, Fortuner Legender, Mahindra Thar, old generation Fortuner, VW Polo, Volkswagen GTi etc can be seen in the video. The Audi is also seen doing reckless zigzag driving.

The occupants of these vehicles are sticking their heads and upper bodies out dangerously through the windows. Some even sit on the doors. The White Fortuner Legender has several ladies who are trying to mimic the men folk. Arrogant, insensitive driving can be noted in the video evidence.

So how did these videos surface? Bothered by the rally that created roadblocks and traffic interruptions, some captured it on video. These were later shared on social media and mainstream publications soon took them up. The visuals went viral and came to the notice of the State Motor Vehicle Department. It seized five vehicles and is on the lookout for the rest.

A similar incident took place in Kannur’s NAHER Arts and Science College as well. The students here organized a four-wheeler procession, which had cars like Bolero, Polo etc. Videos of this are also doing rounds on the internet. The occupants are seen sitting on the doors and sticking their heads out, as in the Farook case.

A video of this was shared on social media by one of the onlookers. In an immediate response, the RTO initiated the process for suspending the driver’s license of the people involved. Furthermore, FIRs were registered and a probe initiated against these vehicles and the students.

Further Actions Incoming!

Both these incidents are alarming. Taking into consideration the gravity of the same, the Honourable High Court has directed the state to take custody of all vehicles used in both cases. The division bench orally instructed to register crimes against the drivers and occupants. Details of other persons in these cars also need to be produced. The logic behind this, according to the court, is that if the crime is registered just against the driver, the next time they could get a new driver and do the same. The vehicles will be seized soon.

Investigations are also underway to find out if these vehicles have any forms of modification on them- especially changes to the engine, suspension or exhausts. Cops could also be inspecting these for any aftermarket flashlights, headlamps or other illumination setups. As per the court ruling, criminal proceedings will be undertaken against the owner and driver, if such modifications are found to exist on any of these cars.