Archive · 29 May 2025
Telangana Cops Bypass Tougher Vehicle Theft Law Due to Interpretation
Imagine the police have a new, tougher law to punish car thieves.
But some police officers are using an older, less strict law instead.
This means thieves get lighter sentences and fines.
The new law is meant to give harsher punishments, but confusion over how to apply it is making it ineffective.
Some police officers are unsure if the tougher law applies to all vehicles or just commercial ones.
This causes issues with how cases are handled, including whether a crime scene needs video recording.
Experts say using the correct law is important for deterring crime.
Telangana police are primarily using a more lenient section for vehicle thefts, despite a tougher law existing.
The state is among the top 10 in the country for vehicle thefts, with over 7,500 cases annually.
Section 305(b) of the new law, which is more stringent, is not being widely applied.
A key issue is a difference in interpretation of the new law among police.
Experts believe that using the correct law is vital for effective crime deterrence.
- Who
- Cops in Telangana, Naveed Mehmood Ahmad.
- What
- Cops not using tougher provision for vehicle theft.
- When
- Ten months after new criminal laws were implemented.
- Where
- Telangana.
- Why
- Due to lack of awareness or difference in interpretation.
Police Applying Section 303(2) of BNS
Police Applying Section 305(b) of BNS
Severity of Punishment
Police Applying Section 303(2) of BNS
Section 303(2) provides a maximum sentence of three years, with easier station bail, leading to lighter punishments for vehicle theft.
Police Applying Section 305(b) of BNS
Section 305(b) carries a maximum sentence of seven years and a fine, potentially resulting in more prison time and a mandatory fine.
Applicability to all vehicles
Police Applying Section 303(2) of BNS
Uncertainty exists as to whether Section 305(b) should be used for personal vehicles
Police Applying Section 305(b) of BNS
Section 305(b) applies to all means of transport and should be applied to all vehicle thefts
Crime Scene Videography
Police Applying Section 303(2) of BNS
Crime scene videography is omitted by applying section 303(2), hindering potential evidence gathering.
Police Applying Section 305(b) of BNS
Mandatory crime scene videography is required for offences under section 305(b), aimed at increasing the conviction rate.
- State with high vehicle thefts
- Telangana
- Vehicle thefts annually in Telangana
- Over 7,500
- BNS Section for vehicle theft
- 305 (b)
- Maximum sentence under BNS 305 (b)
- 7 years
- BNS Section applied by many states
- 303 (2)
- Maximum sentence under BNS 303 (2)
- 3 years
- Senior Police Official's Stance
- Section 305 (b) should be used for vehicle thefts.
- Expert's Stance
- It is appropriate to use 305 (b) instead of 303