Repeat traffic offenders to face FIR in Surat from today: Top cop

The move comes after Sanghavi, on Monday evening, held a meeting with Surat police commissioner Anupam Singh Gahlaut, District Collector Dr Sourabh Pardhi, Surat Municipal Commissioner Shalini Agrawal, and Surat RTO officials asking them to implement the rules in place and penalise the offenders. Stricter implementation of helmet rules were also discussed at the meeting.

“From January to December 2024, we have given a list to Surat RTO about 13,631 people who are found to be regular offenders of traffic rules and have requested them to cancel their driving licences. The RTO has, till date, cancelled 1,248 driving licences,” said Amita Vanani, Deputy Commissioner of Surat Traffic police.

However, she assured that the RTO officials will hear the offenders before cancelling the licences. “The officials will listen to the individuals and later take actions. From new year onwards, we will also start a drive against those bike riders who fit silencers on their vehicles. We will seize their vehicles and will take out such modified silencers from their bikes,” the officer added.

Public spitters are also on the home minister’s radar, it is learnt. The minister asked Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) officials to give details of regular offenders who spit in public. “We will coordinate with SMC officials and get data from them and identify the regular spitters and take legal actions. SMC has installed CCTV cameras in public places, including gardens, outside government offices and other places. We will also use our CCTV cameras network to identify such spitters,” the commissioner said.

Meanwhile, DGP Vikas Sahay also urged police across districts to take strict legal actions against organisers of New year party events without valid police permissions.

In addition, around 250 people, in addition to 56 bootleggers, were booked under Prohibition Act in a 10-hour drive until Tuesday morning by the Surat police against liquor consumption, said Zone 4 Deputy Commissioner of Police, Vijay Singh Gurjar.