Srinagar, Feb 21, KDC: A Special Mobile Magistrate (Traffic) Court in Srinagar convicted a Budgam resident after a minor was found driving a vehicle, holding the guardian liable under Section 199-A of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988.
The case, titled UT of J&K through Traffic Police, Rural Kashmir, was instituted and decided on February 18, 2026, by the Court of Special Mobile Magistrate (Traffic) Kashmir at Srinagar, presided over by Shabir Ahmad Malik.
According to the judgment, a copy of which lies with news agency Kashmir Dot Com, the challan was produced against Syed Mohammad Hussain Razvi, son of Syed Ibrahim Razvi, a resident of Heewader, Jawalapora, Budgam, who is the guardian and owner of the vehicle driven by a minor at the time of the offence.
The court observed that under Section 199-A of the Motor Vehicles Act, when an offence is committed by a juvenile, the guardian or owner of the motor vehicle is deemed guilty and is liable to be proceeded against and punished accordingly. The provision also presumes that the vehicle was used with the guardian’s consent unless proven otherwise.
During the proceedings, the accused appeared before the court along with his counsel and pleaded guilty. The court recorded his statement in writing and noted that he did not wish to contest the charges despite being given sufficient opportunity.
Upon conviction under Section 199-A of the Motor Vehicles Act, the court sentenced the accused to three years of simple imprisonment and imposed a fine of Rs 25,000. Additionally, the registration of the vehicle bearing number JK04K-0673 was ordered to be cancelled for a period of twelve months.
However, considering that the offence did not involve moral turpitude and that the accused had no prior convictions, the court extended the benefit of the Probation of Offenders Act. The accused was directed to execute a bond of Rs 2 lakh to maintain peace and good behaviour for a period of two years. In case of violation of the bond conditions, he would undergo the proposed sentence and the bond amount would be forfeited to the government.
The court further ordered that the vehicle and related documents, if any, be released in favour of the registered owner after due process. The challan was accordingly disposed of and consigned to records. (KDC)
