What is the story about?
In a first for the national capital, the Delhi Police have begun registering criminal cases against motorists for wrong-side driving, making Delhi the first Union Territory in the country to initiate such action, officials said.
At least three FIRs have been lodged so far. Police clarified that the offences are bailable, and the accused were released on bail after arrest.
A senior traffic police officer told Hindustan Times that FIRs would be registered selectively, depending on the risk posed by the violation. "Special focus will be on wrong-side driving during peak morning and evening hours on major roads. However, registering an FIR may not be justified in cases such as a slow-moving two-wheeler on a narrow road, where violators may be let off after being fined," the officer told HT.
Traffic police data shows a rise in enforcement action in 2025. The number of challans increased to 1,44,490 in 2025, up from 1,04,720 in 2024. However, the number of notices issued declined to 1,27,395 in 2025, compared with 1,78,448 the previous year.
The first FIR was registered on January 3 at the Delhi Cantt police station against Aman, a resident of Shahjahanpur district in Uttar Pradesh. Acting on a complaint by ASI Sunil Kumar of the Delhi Traffic Police, the case alleged that Aman was driving his WagonR at high speed on the wrong side of the road from Hanuman Mandir red light towards Delhi Cantt around 4:45 pm. Police said the two-lane carriageway witnessed traffic disruption and the act posed a serious risk of a major accident.
The FIR was registered under Section 281 (rash driving) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, which carries a penalty of up to six months' imprisonment, a fine of up to ₹1,000, or both. Further checks revealed that the driver did not possess a valid licence and the vehicle was uninsured, leading to additional charges under Sections 3/181, 146 and 196 of the Motor Vehicles Act. He was arrested and later released on bail.
The second case was registered in Kapashera on Monday against Ankit Gaur, who was allegedly found riding his motorcycle on the wrong side in Samalkha. The third FIR was lodged at Vasant Kunj South police station against Sanij Kumar, a resident of Amethi in Uttar Pradesh, for driving his Tata Tigor on the wrong side towards Mata Chowk on the Mehrauli–Mahipalpur road.
Officials said wrong-side driving had earlier attracted monetary penalties — ₹5,000 for the first offence and up to ₹10,000 for repeat violations — along with possible licence suspension.
At least three FIRs have been lodged so far. Police clarified that the offences are bailable, and the accused were released on bail after arrest.
A senior traffic police officer told Hindustan Times that FIRs would be registered selectively, depending on the risk posed by the violation. "Special focus will be on wrong-side driving during peak morning and evening hours on major roads. However, registering an FIR may not be justified in cases such as a slow-moving two-wheeler on a narrow road, where violators may be let off after being fined," the officer told HT.
Traffic police data shows a rise in enforcement action in 2025. The number of challans increased to 1,44,490 in 2025, up from 1,04,720 in 2024. However, the number of notices issued declined to 1,27,395 in 2025, compared with 1,78,448 the previous year.
The first FIR was registered on January 3 at the Delhi Cantt police station against Aman, a resident of Shahjahanpur district in Uttar Pradesh. Acting on a complaint by ASI Sunil Kumar of the Delhi Traffic Police, the case alleged that Aman was driving his WagonR at high speed on the wrong side of the road from Hanuman Mandir red light towards Delhi Cantt around 4:45 pm. Police said the two-lane carriageway witnessed traffic disruption and the act posed a serious risk of a major accident.
The FIR was registered under Section 281 (rash driving) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, which carries a penalty of up to six months' imprisonment, a fine of up to ₹1,000, or both. Further checks revealed that the driver did not possess a valid licence and the vehicle was uninsured, leading to additional charges under Sections 3/181, 146 and 196 of the Motor Vehicles Act. He was arrested and later released on bail.
The second case was registered in Kapashera on Monday against Ankit Gaur, who was allegedly found riding his motorcycle on the wrong side in Samalkha. The third FIR was lodged at Vasant Kunj South police station against Sanij Kumar, a resident of Amethi in Uttar Pradesh, for driving his Tata Tigor on the wrong side towards Mata Chowk on the Mehrauli–Mahipalpur road.
Officials said wrong-side driving had earlier attracted monetary penalties — ₹5,000 for the first offence and up to ₹10,000 for repeat violations — along with possible licence suspension.
