R500 000 traffic fine for Porsche driver causes a stir in India

NEW DELHI - Motorists in India have been warned that not following the country's road rules could cost them dearly, thanks to the new Motor Vehicle Act.

A traffic fine listed at Rs 27.68 lakh (around R540 000 at today's exchange rate) is causing a stir on social media. The fine is believed to be the highest ever for a traffic offence in India. It was issued by the Ahmedabad traffic police to the driver of a previous-generation Porsche 911 Carrera S, who did not have valid documents.

The Ahmedabad traffic police shared the receipt of the fine on Twitter and wrote, "RTO slaps a fine of total Rs 27.68 Lakh on Porsche Car which was detained during a routine check by Ahmedabad Traffic West Police for not having required documents. One of the highest fine amounts levied in the country ever."

The Porsche was impounded in November last year, and the driver was issued an RTO memo under the Motor Vehicles Act. Initially, a fine of Rs 9.8 lakh (around R200 000) was imposed, but then the RTO dug out old records and imposed a penalty of Rs 27.68 lakh. The owner paid the fine and was then reunited with the vehicle on Tuesday, after two months,

reported.

The post proved controversial on social media. One Twitter user asked: "Can someone clarify how the challan amount is calculated?"

A tweeple remarked, "Seriously? 27.68 lk? Be logical, be reasonable... Being rich is not a crime... It's too much in the name of fine."

Another post read, "Proud of Ahmedabad police... in other states they never touch BMW and Porsche."

One user said the Gujarat government should praise the cops and wrote, "Please give handsome incentive to cops who help to identify the person."

%%%twitter https://twitter.com/cotguj?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@cotgujslaps a fine of total INR 27.68 Lakh on Porsche Car which was detained during a routine check by Ahmedabad Traffic West Police for not having required documents. One of the highest fine amount levied in the country ever. #GujaratRTO #AhmedabadPolice pic.twitter.com/xPY14vdUmW

— Ahmedabad Police (@AhmedabadPolice)