Mumbai: Traffic Police Announces Policy Change: Having Marathi Number Plates On Vehicles Is No longer Crime

Mumbai, 2nd September 2023: In a significant policy shift, the Mumbai Traffic Police Department has announced that henceforth, no further action will be taken against vehicles with number plates in the Marathi language. This decision comes in response to a complaint filed by Ashish Karle, a resident of Panvel, on August 24.

Karle, in his complaint, questioned the authorities regarding the fines imposed by them on motorists for using Marathi number plates. The Mumbai Police then clarified in its statement that having Marathi numbaer plates on vehicles will no longer draw punishment from the authorities, provided that the number plate is easily recognisable or should not be fancy.

The key point is that if the number plate displays the vehicle’s registration number in recognisable Marathi language characters, it is entirely compliant with the law.

The police further stated that appropriate instructions have been issued to police officers regarding this change in policy. Going forward, e-challan actions will be taken against drivers who violate traffic rules, but this will no longer apply to vehicles with Marathi number plates that adhere to the regulations.

Police said that vehicles from different states of India may use letters and numbers in their state language, but people should refrain from having fancy and unclear number plates on their vehicles.