Motor Vehicle & Transport

Under Section 106(2) of the BNS, 2023, fleeing an accident causing death without reporting to a police officer or Magistrate is punishable with up to 10 years' imprisonment plus fine.

Liability depends on cause — the manufacturer for battery defects under the Consumer Protection Act, the RWA/charging operator for faulty infrastructure, or your insurer if comprehensively covered.

Under Section 185 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, first offence carries up to 6 months' imprisonment and ₹10,000 fine; subsequent offence up to 2 years and ₹15,000. If it causes death, BNS Section 106 applies with up to 10 years.

Pay online at echallan.parivahan.gov.in or your state traffic police portal. To dispute, contest in the Virtual Traffic Court online or appear in person before the Magistrate.

Inform insurer within 24-48 hours, file police FIR for theft / third-party / major damage, get surveyor inspection, submit claim form with all documents. Third-party motor insurance mandatory under Motor Vehicles Act, 1988; own damage optional but recommended. Claim settlement typically 15-30 days for straightforward cases.

Within 24 hours: file FIR at local police station; report to RTO for theft entry; inform insurer; report to National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) portal; track via Vahan portal. Insurance claim possible after 'no-trace report' (90-180 days). RC cancellation only after insurance settlement.

Within 14 days of sale, buyer and seller jointly file Form 29 (notice of transfer) + Form 30 (application for transfer) at RTO with documents. Online process available via Parivahan portal. Inter-state transfer requires NOC from original RTO. Failure leads to fines up to ₹500.

Valet parking creates a contract of bailment under Sections 148-181 of the Indian Contract Act, 1872. The hotel/restaurant is liable for damage caused by its valet — 'owner's risk' tokens are generally void per Supreme Court in Taj Mahal Hotel v. United India Insurance, (2020) 2 SCC 224. Document damage immediately, demand written acknowledgement, claim from establishment first, then their insurer.

Third-party liability cover is mandatory under Section 146 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 and protects anyone your vehicle injures or whose property it damages — it is distinct from own-damage (OD) cover, which is optional and pays for your own vehicle's repairs. If the insurer repudiates a third-party claim, first escalate in writing to the insurer's Grievance Officer. If that fails, the Insurance Ombudsman mainly resolves disputes between a policyholder and their own insurer over own-damage or policy-interpretation issues — pure third-party liability disputes are usually decided directly by the Motor Accident Claims Tribunal (MACT) under Sections 165–166 of the Act, which can also pass orders against the insurer. You can also complain to IRDAI via the Bima Bharosa portal. Confirm current pecuniary limits and timelines with the Ombudsman's office or IRDAI before relying on a specific figure, as these are revised periodically.