BENGALURU: Wrong parking ? You can’t get away by coughing up a fine of Rs 100 anymore.

Cops have come with a new plan to deter violators: Invoke Section 283 of the Indian Penal Code which talks about punishment for causing danger or obstruction in public way or line of navigation .

If your vehicle is found parked on the footpath or anywhere else obstructing traffic, you will be fined Rs 100 and vehicle handed over to the law and order police. As Section 283 is cognizable, it’ll require cops to file an FIR and send you to court.

Over the past 12 days, 536 people have been booked under this section. The drive will especially concentrate on the newly constructed TenderSURE roads.

That the fine amount under this section is limited to Rs 200 doesn’t worry cops. As any case booked will be a cognizable offence , the defaulter can get back his vehicle only after showing up in court. "In our city, time has more value than money. Therefore, fining someone with time is a better deterrent," said a traffic police officer.

MA Saleem, additional commissioner of police (traffic), said the recently inaugurated TenderSURE roads will be under close watch to track parking violations. "Since these roads have been inaugurated, several cases of wrong parking have been noticed. We want some deterrence among drivers who park on footpaths blocking the way," he said.

Cognizable offence

It means a police officer has the authority to make an arrest without a warrant; also, an investigation can be initiated with or without court’s permission. Police can file a First Information Report (FIR) only in cases of cognizable offences.

Section 283

Danger or obstruction in public way or line of navigation — Whoever, by doing any act, or by omitting to take order with any property in his possession or under his charge, causes danger, obstruction or injury to any person in any public way or public line of navigation, shall be punished with fine which may extend to two hundred rupees.