In a surprise move, the Motor Vehicles Department on Thursday registered cases against the owner of two Volvo buses used for the transportation of the players of India and West Indies cricket teams, for violating the Motor Vehicle Act norms.
The MVD officials also registered cases against around 15 buses for using cool films and two other vehicles for carrying generator without the permission of the department.
Assistant Motor Vehicle Inspector N Vinod Kumar said the two Volvo buses, which carried players of both the teams, exhibited advertisement of a private airline without seeking permission.
The MVD charged the owner with offence under section 191 (Unauthorised alteration) of MV Act and under the provisions of Taxation Act. The owner of the vehicle should pay around `50,000 each for violating the taxation Act.
“Though it’s an offence deserving seizure of vehicle, the buses will be seized only after the players are dropped at the airport.
If the MVD takes an immediate action, that will affect the smooth conduct of the international match and affect the goodwill of Kochi as a venue for international matches,” said Vinod Kumar.The officials further said that they were tipped off by a person who noticed the violation of the norms. “The MVD had earlier launched a project named ‘third eye’ sensitising public about updating the department about the illegal activities they noticed. The information was received through mobile phone,” the officials said.
The MVD has also seized two luxury cars - a BMW and an Audi- which were registered in Puthuchery, but used in Kerala.
“There is a practice of people from Kerala registering their vehicles in Puthuchery as tax rate is very low there comparing to Kerala. The MVD had recently launched a drive to trace such vehicles,” the officials said. The two luxury car were seized from the premises of the Kaloor stadium. The MVD has asked the RC owners of the cars to produce all documents, including the registration certificate, in the coming days.