Surat Police Probe Private Vehicles Illegally Using National Emblem After Citizen Alert

Surat | Gujarat — The Surat police have started investigations against the private cars and two wheelers plying on the road with national emblem in the diamond city of Surat  on their rear sides after an aware citizen flagged the misuse and  posted the pictures of the private cars on the official X account of Gujarat police. 

An aware citizen posted few pictures of private cars plying in the diamond city of Surat with the illegal use of national emblem on their rear side windows. Following the expose, the official X handle of Gujarat police immediately directed the Surat police to carry out thorough investigation against such vehicles illegally using the national emblem. 

Upon investigating the matter, the police found that during verification of the vehicle details and visit to the registered address there is currently a dilapidated (abandoned) house at that location, and no one is currently residing there. The neighbours were also questioned, and they confirmed that no one has stayed in the above premises for a long time. Further investigation is underway in this matter. If any additional information or evidence is found during the investigation, appropriate action will be taken. 

Sources said that there are many such private cars in the diamond city of Surat that are illegally using the national emblem on their vehicles. 

Using India’s National Emblem is illegal for commercial purposes or in a way that suggests government association without explicit permission, governed by the Emblems and Names (Prevention of Improper Use) Act, 1950 and the State Emblem of India (Prohibition of Improper Use) Act, 2005, with penalties including fines and potential imprisonment, though the government is considering stricter penalties like higher fines and jail time for misuse.

“I spotted a car with a national emblem at Anuvrat Dwar in the City Light area, Surat. The car was bearing a private registration number and all the window panes were covered with black film. I immediately clicked the pictures and lodged a complaint with the official X handle of Gujarat police” said an aware citizen on condition of anonymity. 

“CCTVs are installed all across the city and they capture photos of the vehicle owners driving without helmet or seat belts, over speeding. But somehow illegal usage of  a national emblem is permitted ? How come private vehicles are allowed to use it so casually?” he asked.