Pune: Travelling during night curfew without a reason? Your vehicle may be seized soon

Pune: Despite multiple requests from the administration and police, many people are observed flouting curfew orders in Pune.

Now to limit vehicular movement during the curfew, Pune Police have decided to take stringent action. Apart from the fine, the police will also seize the vehicle of the concerned person, along with their license, if they're seen violating the COVID norms.

A curfew was imposed in the city on Saturday night. Accordingly, action is being taken against the citizens if they are found travelling without reason between 6 pm to 6 am.

For the last two days, the police have urged citizens to close their shops and not travel without reason. Pune Police has already cautioned and issued an advisory for those who want to travel during the curfew. People travelling for valid reasons will be allowed to commute.

Pune Police Commissioner Amitabh Gupta said, "Stringent measures are needed to prevent the further spread of COVID-19. Accordingly, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has taken the necessary measures. The police has also started to take action during the curfew. Citizens should co-operate with the police."

Dr Shisve said, "The PMC has decided to close all types of shops except essential services from Tuesday. So people will no longer have to travel. Therefore, a strict curfew will be enforced from 6 pm to 7 am. Thus, if anybody found travelling unnecessary has to face strict action. He or she will be booked under Section 188 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). Also, if needed, their vehicles could face confiscation.

Mitesh Gatte, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Special Branch), also informed that the police have found people venturing out for no reason despite the curfew in place. Therefore, offences under Section 188 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) have been registered against such citizens for violating the curfew order.

On Sunday, 814 people were found without a facemask and violating norms in the city. A fine of Rs 4,82,000 has been recovered from the violators so far. Over 2,77,990 people are fined so far, and Rs 13 crore has been recovered.

Meanwhile, Pune, which is witnessing a sharp rise in the spread of infection, has decided to undergo lockdown till April 30. Till April 30, all shops except those serving essential commodities will remain shut.