Patna. The Bihar Police has taken several measures to curb vehicle insurance fraud and strengthen traffic enforcement. A Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been formed under the Crime Investigation Department to investigate suspected ‘vehicle implantation’ cases flagged by insurance companies. The rules for issuing traffic challans have also been tightened, with clear photographic or video evidence made mandatory. Police stations have additionally been directed to release vehicles involved in road accidents within 24 hours after completion of all necessary formalities.
According to the police headquarters, vehicle implantation fraud involves allegedly linking an insured vehicle to an accident in which it was not actually involved. An attempt is then made to obtain compensation from the insurance company. Such cases can result in wrongful payouts for insurers and may also put financial pressure on them, potentially affecting premiums paid by genuine policyholders.
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Under the new arrangement, when insurance companies refer cases to the police after suspecting fraud in an accident compensation claim, the SIT will investigate them. The move is part of measures taken following recent Supreme Court observations concerning fraudulent compensation claims arising from road accidents. The investigation team will examine the vehicle, accident circumstances, insurance claim and related documents in suspected cases.
The traffic enforcement system has also been changed. The police headquarters has directed that challans be issued only on the basis of clear photographic or video evidence. The evidence must clearly record the date, time and location of the violation. At present, traffic violations are detected through Handheld Devices, Integrated Command and Control Centres and Highway Patrol Vehicles.
The police headquarters had received complaints that some personnel were using their mobile phones to photograph vehicles or alleged violations, keeping the images in draft mode and later deciding at their discretion whether to delete them or issue challans. To prevent such practices, challans can no longer be issued merely on the basis of a vehicle’s registration number.
For violations such as riding without a helmet or driving without a seat belt, the photograph or video must clearly establish that the traffic rule was violated. Disciplinary action will be taken against personnel found issuing challans on the basis of incomplete or unclear evidence.
The police headquarters has also issued clear instructions regarding vehicles involved in road accidents. Once all necessary legal and investigation-related formalities have been completed, the vehicle must be released within 24 hours. A district-level monitoring mechanism headed by traffic deputy superintendents has been put in place to ensure compliance. Vehicle owners who face unnecessary delays can lodge complaints with the police headquarters through WhatsApp, phone calls or SMS.
The authorities are also focusing on speeding up the disposal of pending traffic challans. Under the state’s One-Time Traffic Challan Settlement Scheme-2026, challans pending for more than 90 days can be settled through National Lok Adalats. During the National Lok Adalat held on September 12, a total of 66,964 police-issued challans were disposed of. The police headquarters has urged people to make greater use of the settlement mechanism to clear pending challans.
About the author — Suvedita Nath is a science student with a growing interest in cybercrime and digital safety. She writes on online activity, cyber threats, and technology-driven risks. Her work focuses on clarity, accuracy, and public awareness.
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