[DudeWithaFiat]

Here in Kerala, one of my friends owns a private bus which is in active service. During one of the elections his bus was also used for Election services. He was paid for that. He says that he and other bus owners/drivers in his circle are quite happy to let out their buses for election duty since they get paid with only a few kilometers of running.

Have never heard of a private vehicle 'seized' for election duty.

[anjan_c2007]

Originally Posted by sbanerjee

BRV should be less risky, as I am sure half of the cops out in North Bengal won't know its a 7 seater.

Saying that, attaching a picture of seized Bolero's requisition slip, seized near Mal Bazaar, North Bengal.

Look at the malicious, bitter and vitriolic language used by those public servants in the memo, where words like "seizure", "siezed" in the title as well as in Sl. Nos. 1, 2, 3 and 5 are liberally used. It's as if they have seized some stolen or contraband goods or drugs from a criminal.

I think the use of such language needs to be vehemently protested that has been used without application of mind, in an appropriate forum.

[anandhsub]

Originally Posted by sbanerjee

Saying that, attaching a picture of seized Bolero's requisition slip, seized near Mal Bazaar, North Bengal.

Originally Posted by anjan_c2007

It's as if they have seized some stolen goods or contraband or drugs from a criminal.

If hadn't known before hand this was a requisition I would have thought that Bolero was involved in some crime and hence seized. Nowhere on that slip does it say this is for use by officials during the election.

Even if officials are empowered to do this, surely there can be a better process for the same.

[vj196]

Coming from a different part of the country, this ‘seizure’ of car during election season sounds super bizarre. I am thankful it isn’t a thing in Tamil Nadu (or is it? and I am deeply unaware?).

What caught my eye is the below from McQueen’s post #89 -

160.1.b
“…. Provided that no vehicle, vessel or animal which is being lawfully used by a candidate or his agent for any purpose connected with the election of such candidate shall be requisitioned under this sub-section until the completion of the poll at such election.”

I see some of you are worried and are trying to avoid this ill fate for your car - rightly so. As a solution to avoid being even stopped for this, Would displaying a party flag (of your choice) in the car - or having multiple party flags, displayed based on the locality, be a smart ‘jugaad’ move?

“Sorry. Already booked ”

However, fair warning - I am unsure how much trouble having a party flag in the car is going to cause you.

[arjab]

Originally Posted by anjan_c2007

Look at the malicious, bitter and vitriolic language used by those public servants in the memo, where words like "seizure", "siezed" in the title as well as in Sl. Nos. 1, 2, 3 and 5 are liberally used. It's as if they have seized some stolen or contraband goods or drugs from a criminal.

I think the use of such language needs to be vehemently protested that has been used without application of mind, in an appropriate forum.

You are absolutely right. Not only the language, but the act itself by the police is not a "seizure".
It is a "REQUISITION" to run errands for the elections, and nowhere that word is mentioned. "Seizure" is when you commit a crime. In this case the authorities "require" a vehicle for their "need" ! Where is the crime in that?

The police or whichever authorities issuing the slip should mention it as a "requisition slip" with clear details of everything; viz; the purpose of requisition, duration of requisition, vehicle details make/model and in today's day and age, pictures of the vehicle in question as well.
Unfortunately, we Indians are very much "peace loving" and the last thing we want is a "jhamela" (translation: argument).
We also do not know the intricacies of the MV Act, Representation of People's Act etc. Thus it is too easy for the men-in-uniform to threaten, intimidate the good, law abiding citizen and go scot free.

We pay our taxes, we pay the salaries of the politicians, we pay for the elections and in return we get "paid back" for our good services by having our vehicle "requested", (what a misnomer), for election duties, leaving us with scanty little travelling options.
"Curiouser and curiouser!" - Alice also would be thinking of this in her Wonderland!

[Ltinsane]

Originally Posted by vj196

I see some of you are worried and are trying to avoid this ill fate for your car - rightly so. As a solution to avoid being even stopped for this, Would displaying a party flag (of your choice) in the car - or having multiple party flags, displayed based on the locality, be a smart ‘jugaad’ move?

I used to do that with my Quanto. Mount a political party flag around election times, cover the pole with black sleeve otherwise. If you do go this way, better to know someone actually affiliated with the party.

Originally Posted by Mystic

If there is a requirement by the nation of certain help from civilians like our personal vehicles or ourselves as able individuals, we must support the same. I know it is difficult for petrolheads to tolerate even a scratch on our personal vehicles.

I understand the sentiment, many share the same, but the ground reality is far grim. Vehicles used for elections are abused to say the least. Cars in India are still a considerable investment for most of us to see them getting damaged or worked to ground.

[MobileThunder]

Originally Posted by jackofsome

I have prepped myself hence to not carry physical copies of documents going forward at least till the election is over. Looks like the darling Jimny will be garaged for a couple of months to say the least.

Such sad state of affairs be it roads, population, cleanliness, et all. Banana republic alright this.

Even the Jimny!! God help our country.
Any idea if they will bother vehicles from outside the state?
I was planning to drive down to Bengal, and this issue definitely changes my plans.

[arjab]

Originally Posted by MobileThunder

Even the Jimny!! God help our country.
Any idea if they will bother vehicles from outside the state?
I was planning to drive down to Bengal, and this issue definitely changes my plans.

Out of state registration vehicles are usually not touched. Don't know what car you have but if you have a hatchback or any 5-seater, petrol you should not be facing any issue.

[srvm]

Just adding another angle to all this.

Recently, BHPian vroom5346 wrote about an fatal accident involving a car that his father had sold years ago to Trident Hyundai (Sold car to Trident Hyundai | Car not transferred | Involved in fatal accident).

He wrote:

In summary, we sold our vehicle to Trident Hyundai used cars during that time and received payment via cheque, with the understanding that the dealership would handle the transfer of car registration to the new buyer. However, what appeared to be a straightforward transaction has turned into a legal nightmare that has left us in shock and distress.

Recently, the police served my dad a court notice indicating that a pedestrian was killed by the driver of the car, resulting in the driver being accused 1 and my father being named as accused 2.

So asking the esteemed members here, what do you think would happen if such a fatal accident were to happen when someone's car is on election duty after requisition?

I would neither count on Election commission nor the courts to stand with me, if it were my car. I fully expect to be held partly culpable for the accident, because I'm the gullible, hapless, tax-paying, law-abiding, owner of the car

[sbm]

Guys, I talked to a few people in the administration. They are saying that elections have not been announced yet; how can anyone seize a vehicle at this time, and that too a private vehicle? They say that mostly commercial vehicles are requisitioned, and in very rare cases, private vehicles are touched. Even if they requisition private cars, it's mostly Scorpios and Boleros.
Although it's clear from the posts of some BHPs that it is indeed happening, I want to ask a few questions.1) Are they catching private cars only in West Bengal or in other states as well?2) I have a XUV700 5-seater, and I need to go on a trip through Bihar and UP in April. Is there really a chance that they'll target an out-of-state car, and that too a 5-seater?As far as I know, the normal procedure (unlike what's happening in WB) is to make requisitions through the local RTO office and not by catching vehicles on the road.*

[saubi2299]

Originally Posted by srvm

Just adding another angle to all this.


So asking the esteemed members here, what do you think would happen if such a fatal accident were to happen when someone's car is on election duty after requisition?

I would neither count on Election commission nor the courts to stand with me, if it were my car. I fully expect to be held partly culpable for the accident, because I'm the gullible, hapless, tax-paying, law-abiding, owner of the car

Government cars do not have 3rd party insurance, and in case of any accident, Govt. has to bear the costs albeit a lengthy process for the 3rd party. In case of a private vehicle legally requisitioned by Govt., the respective Govt will bear the responsibility legally and logically. However, getting it done will be a task.

[arjab]

Recently received as a forwarded message. It appears cops in West Bengal are not sparing even 5-seater vehicles.
The message in Bengali says is that the Nexon was "seized" (as can be seen by the "seizure list" chit) . The person goes on to say that alongwith the Nexon, a CRETA and an XUV-300 were also "seized". Person also writes that a Fortuner managed to flee incurring the wrath of the cops.
The menace seems to be gaining ground outside Kolkata city, mainly in the suburbs and districts.
Fore-warned is fore-armed. Please use your indivudual discretion when on road trips during these few months particularly in WB.

[HIGHWAY_PATROL]

Originally Posted by arjab

The menace seems to be gaining ground outside Kolkata city, mainly in the suburbs and districts.
Fore-warned is fore-armed. Please use your indivudual discretion when on road trips during these few months particularly in WB.

Even reading about it gives a sick feeling. Can only imagine how frustrated and helpless those affected Bengali brothers would be feeling.

[sbanerjee]

So, did some digging on this topic. Per Calcutta High Court's judgment, requisition of vehicles registered as private vehicles is illegal. Because as per the judgement, a private vehicle cannot be used to get money, and per sec 160 of the People's representation act, such vehicles which are requisitioned for election duty needs to be compensated. So, it seems that West Bengal police does not abide by the court's judgement. Attaching the judgement so that in case anyone is caught, can challenge the police.

[sbm]

Originally Posted by arjab

Recently received as a forwarded message. It appears cops in West Bengal are not sparing even 5-seater vehicles.
The message in Bengali says is that the Nexon was "seized" (as can be seen by the "seizure list" chit) . The person goes on to say that alongwith the Nexon, a CRETA and an XUV-300 were also "seized". Person also writes that a Fortuner managed to flee incurring the wrath of the cops.
The menace seems to be gaining ground outside Kolkata city, mainly in the suburbs and districts.
Fore-warned is fore-armed. Please use your indivudual discretion when on road trips during these few months particularly in WB.

It seems like most of these seizures are happening in West Bengal. So far, no one has reported about private vehicles being seized in any other state during this election, at least on this thread.