Maharashtra Bars Traffic Police from Forcing On-spot E-challan Payments, Seizing Vehicles
Moneylife Digital Team 12 March 2026
Following complaints from transport associations of harassment, bribery demands and unlawful vehicle detention by traffic personnel, Maharashtra's additional director general of police (traffic) has issued a state-wide circular directing officers to end coercive e-challan recovery practices, with disciplinary action threatened against those who do not comply. 
 
A circular issued on 4 March 2026 by additional director general of police (traffic) Pravin Salunkhe directs all police commissioners and superintendents to ensure their officers behave courteously with motorists, accept e-challan payments only when offered voluntarily and seize vehicles only when authorised by a court order.
 
The circular follows a high-level meeting on 2nd March chaired by Maharashtra transport minister Pratap Sarnaik, attended by representatives of multiple transport associations who had originally planned a nationwide strike on 5th March. Their complaints painted a troubling picture of routine abuse of authority on Maharashtra's roads.
 
Transport associations told the 2nd March meeting that traffic police were routinely stopping vehicles without valid cause, detaining them for extended periods, and using that detention as leverage to extract immediate payment of pending e-challan dues — or, when drivers could not pay, demanding illegal cash settlements. Verbal abuse and threatening behaviour by traffic personnel were also reported. Vehicle documents were being seized without legal authority, and drivers who pushed back faced further intimidation.
 
During the meeting transport minister Sarnaik reportedly expressed strong dissatisfaction with the conduct described, acknowledging that such behaviour had significantly damaged the traffic department's public image. The circular that followed was the administration's formal response to those complaints.
 
The ADG's circular is explicit on three counts. First, traffic personnel are prohibited from compelling motorists to clear pending e-challan fines on the spot. If a driver voluntarily offers to pay a compounded fine, that payment should be accepted but no officer may demand or pressure immediate settlement. 
 
Second, vehicles may be seized only pursuant to a court order. Roadside seizures of vehicles or documents as a means of compelling payment are expressly prohibited. 
 
And third, traffic police must always maintain professional and courteous conduct with all motorists.
 
The circular also reminded all units that a standard operating procedure (SOP) governing e-challan recovery and vehicle seizures has been in place since 11 November 2024, suggesting the practices being complained about represent a failure of compliance with existing rules rather than an absence of rules altogether. All senior officials have been directed to ensure strict enforcement within their jurisdictions, with the warning that violations will attract disciplinary action.
 
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