SRINAGAR: In a recent development, the Government of Jammu & Kashmir, acting through the Regional Transport Officer, Kashmir, has issued an order invoking Sections 53, 180, and 181 of the Motor Vehicle Act, 1988 in response to a widely circulated video on various social media platforms that showcased a vehicle, bearing Registration No JK01M-1095, engaged in extremely reckless driving.
The vehicle in question, a Hyundai i-10, is registered under the name of Kamran Showkat, son of Showkat Hussain Dar, residing in Chanapora, Srinagar.
Following the dissemination of the video, a notice was promptly served to Kamran Showkat, the owner of the vehicle, to ascertain the veracity of the claims, provide his explanation, and present a defense.
On the September 26, 2023, Kamran Showkat appeared before the concerned authorities and admitted guilt. He explained that the vehicle had been driven by his friend, Arsh Khan, son of Reyaz Ahmad Khan, also residing in Chanapora, Srinagar.
The incident occurred during the intervening night of 23rd and 24th September, 2023, in the vicinity of the Rambagh Flyover, Srinagar. Arsh Khan was accompanied by two other friends, Abrar Shah, son of Sajad Shah, and Arfat Imtiyaz, son of the late Imtiyaz Ahmad Malik, both residents of Srinagar.
All individuals involved in the incident, including Arsh Khan, corroborated the facts presented, acknowledged their guilt, and provided statements attesting to their collective culpability.
Arsh Khan not only drove the vehicle without a valid and authorised driving license but also engaged in dangerous actions that endangered the lives of those on board. Kamran Showkat, as the owner of the vehicle, was well aware of Arsh Khan’s lack of a valid driving license but allowed him to operate the vehicle, thus compounding the offense.
Consequently, the Government of Jammu & Kashmir imposed a penalty of Rs 5,000 (Rupees five thousand) on Kamran Showkat for permitting his vehicle to be driven by an individual lacking a valid driving license, under Section 180 of the MVA, 1988.
The registration certificate of the vehicle has also been suspended for a period of three months with immediate effect, as per Section 35 of the MVA, 1988.
Arsh Khan has been penalised Rs 5,000 (Rupees five thousand) for driving a motor vehicle in a public place without possessing a valid and authorised driving license, in accordance with Section 181 of the MVA, 1988.
