Police deployed to enforce Rajkot’s ‘no number plate, no fuel’ rule

On Saturday, the Rajkot City Police began enforcing a new rule requiring vehicles without legal and clearly visible High Security Registration Plates (HSRP) to not receive petrol, diesel or CNG. This measure was initiated just five days after a Commissioner of Police notification, following complaints of conflicts at fuel outlets between employees and customers being turned away.

At least 15 fuel pumps in the city were targeted by police personnel, following a request from the Rajkot Petrol Diesel Dealers Association. Association Secretary Kalpesh Cholera explained that the deployment was necessary due to conflicts at specific outlets. Additional Commissioner of Police Chaitanya Mandlik stated that since August 18, 157 vehicles without number plates have been detained.

The deployment came to light after a video of a BJP corporator riding pillion on a two-wheeler without the back registration plate went viral, revealing the vehicle was being borrowed. The vehicle's owner paid a fine of Rs 300. Another incident involved an SUV belonging to a former Rajkot district president of the BJP, found lacking a number plate and with illegal black film on the windows. The vehicle's owner paid fines totaling Rs 1000 for both violations.