The Telangana High Court has declared that the police have no power to seize vehicles when the drivers are caught driving under influence of alcohol.
Disposing off a batch of 40 writ petitions on the issue, Justice K Lakshman of the Telangana High Court issued a series of directions in this regard.
The court said that if the vehicle driver was found to be drunk while driving the vehicle, the police should allow an accompanying person with a valid driving license to drive the car or inform a near relative or friend and permit such person to drive the vehicle.
Only in case the above directions could not be implemented, the police concerned should temporarily take possession of the vehicle.
The police authorities should also release the vehicle to the owner or any authorized person on production of the Registration Certificate of the seized vehicle, the Judge said.
