Parent fined Rs 25,000 for letting minor ride bike in Belagavi

Belagavi: A court in Belagavi district has imposed a fine of Rs 25,000 on a parent for allowing his underage son to ride a motorcycle, highlighting the legal consequences faced by guardians who permit minors to drive.The order was passed by the Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC) Court in Kagwad after the traffic violation was detected through the Belagavi police’s Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) system, which is being used to strengthen traffic enforcement and improve road safety.Police identified the parent as Makarand Mallappa Magadum, a resident of Mangasuli village. According to police, despite being aware that his son was below the legally permissible age to drive, he allowed the minor to ride a two-wheeler.Taking serious note of the violation, the court imposed a penalty of Rs 25,000 on the father.In its order, the court observed that permitting minors to drive is a clear violation of the law and poses a serious threat to public safety by increasing the risk of road accidents. It stressed that parents and guardians have a statutory responsibility to prevent underage driving.The court further noted that such offences go beyond routine traffic violations and directly concern public safety and adherence to the rule of law. It reiterated that legal accountability extends not only to minors found driving but also to parents and guardians who enable or permit such violations.