96 September 02 2025

HOW TO RELEASE YOUR VEHICLE SEIZED BY DELHI TRAFFIC POLICE FOR A CHALLAN

STEP 1: OFFENCE

Riding three people on a two-wheeler is a punishable offence under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, as amended in 2019 and updated in 2025. Section 128 allows only one pillion passenger, and carrying two pillions is considered triple riding. The fine for this violation in Delhi is ₹1,000 for the first offence, and in some cases, the driving licence may also be disqualified for three months depending on the directions of the court.

STEP 2: ISSUANCE OF CHALLAN

When caught, the traffic police issue a challan, which may be a paper slip on the spot or an electronic challan sent by SMS and recorded in the official challan system. The challan clearly mentions the offence, the vehicle details, and the fine amount. If you have all the necessary documents like a valid driving licence, registration certificate, insurance, and pollution certificate, you may be allowed to leave after the challan is issued. The fine can be paid either online, at a traffic office, or through court if the case requires legal proceedings. For example, if you are caught riding triple in Karol Bagh and all documents are in order, the officer may simply issue a ₹1,000 challan and let you go.

 POLICE DISCRETION TO IMPOUND

The law also gives traffic police the discretion to impound vehicles in certain cases. This usually happens if you fail to carry the required documents, if you are a repeat offender, if you are driving dangerously, or if you refuse to comply with the officer’s directions. In such situations, the officer may direct your bike to be taken to the nearest impounding yard, known as a PIT. For instance, if you are caught in Karol Bagh without a valid PUC certificate while triple riding, your bike may be seized and sent to the Mata Sundri Road PIT yard.


 RELEASING AN IMPOUNDED VEHICLE

To release an impounded vehicle, you first need to pay the challan. After that, you must visit the PIT yard where your vehicle has been kept, carrying all the required documents along with proof of challan payment. The officials at the yard will verify your challan and documents, and then issue a release slip. You can then submit this slip to the yard in-charge and collect your bike. For example, after paying the fine online, you can go to the Mata Sundri Road PIT yard with your driving licence, registration certificate, insurance, pollution certificate, and the challan receipt. Once verified, you receive a release slip and your bike is handed back to you.

✅ SUMMARY 

So, if you think fitting three people on a bike in Delhi makes you a stuntman, think again. You’ll be rewarded with a ₹1,000 ‘VIP pass’ called a challan. Sometimes the police let you ride home, sometimes they send your beloved bike on an all-expenses-paid vacation to the PIT yard. To bring it back from this holiday, you’ll have to cough up the fine and show off your collection of documents like a contestant in a game show.

Author

avatar
Adv. ALOK KUMAR
Advocate Serving Delhi NCR
Delhi High Court & District Courts
LL.B.▪︎Faculty of Law▪︎Delhi University


Comments are not allowed on this article.