I had recently been filed a case because of smoking in public near GVK in Hyderabad. A cop car was already stationed there and as I started smoking, one of them comes and asks me to come aside. They didn't even tell me why and it was a surprise because it was the first time it was happening as people smoke in alleys etc all the time. But I was unaware that the hyderabad police had started this initiative to curb public smoking. They start taking down my details on their e-petty app and give me a phone number to contact and ask me to directly pay the fine in court. They kept my adhaar card with them. I called the number given and (the cop I think) said he will call me back again (maybe approx in an hour). I didn't get any call back and I called back again and it said busy. Anyway my important query is, how much fine should I pay and at which court in Hyderabad for a case like this? I did some research and found out that we must ask for challans, the police didn't give me any challan for this case, just the phone number to contact. Do i need one to pay the fine? What would be the necessary action to take in this case and will any of this affect my job/professional life? Any additional help would be appreciated as well. Thank you
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Hello,
The challan is to be deposited under the provision of Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution) Act, 2003.
You will have to approach the court under whose jurisdiction you have been caught.
You will have to get in touch with the concerned police station who has given the challan to you.
this will not effect your job and other prospect.
Regards
Thank you for your response. Like I said earlier in the question, I was not given a challan, just a phone number to contact. How am I supposed to get a challan now?
You must contact on that number. Otherwise as said above go to the concerned court of the place where you were caught. Also, wait for sometime you might get a challan through post at your place.
Regards
It would not affect your professional life
2) better pay the nominal fine for smoking on public in court
3) you have nothing to fear
call the phone number ask for challan
Based on e challan you have to pay 200 rupees in the court to get back your Aadhar card
Call him and pay the challan.
Hyderabad police are imposing fine of around 500 to 1000 based on the place and public.
Yes you should have asked. Now you can approach the court and check the same
Hi,
You are suggested to give calls to the given numbers and keep noting time and date of such calls. After doing this for 2-3 days, you are suggested to be cool and keep silent provided no response was recieved by you in the telephone calls.
Thanks a lot all of you for your help. Mr. Ganesh Singh, what will be achieved by doing that and what would be the process after that? I have already called him. At first the person didn't answer and kept hanging up the call and then he answered and said that he'll call me later and tell me/guide me about the issue. I asked about not being given a challan and he said in this case there's no challan and that I'll have to just come at court and pay the fine. He hung up after that and I called again to ask about when I should come because I would need to take a leave from work. He didn't answer after that and I send him an SMS and asked about it and politely told him that I need to know when to come so that I can arrange something at work and he asked me to come on Monday in the morning 7am via SMS. Is there anything I might have done wrong and should do something else? Thank you Regards
Go at 7 am for the meeting
hear him out and then decide your course of action
He asked me to come at the court itself. Sorry to miss that detail. Although I don't think the court opens that early.
petty cases are taken up in morning court
HI,
From your present inputs, some more things are clear and you are suggested to keep records of all those conversation. Once more via whatsapp or sms ask the details as to court name, location and judge name etc. If revealed by them, please go there and get rid of the problem. If not responded by them, keep cool and relaxed because it is their duty to disclose everything. You would be considered to have needful to get rid of the problem.
You can pay fine and leave its a petty offense
Dear client
In summer some states have court timing of 7 AM to 3 PM and this is just a small case nothing more you just have to go to court pay the fine and collect the Adhaar card.
Without the challan you may not come to know the quantum of fine to be paid for this petty offence, hence you may insist on this to the police whose phone number is available with you.
This is a petty case hence it will be closed after you pay the fine before the court.
The details of court and fine amount may be enquired from the concerned police.
You may contact the given number continuously even if they dont pick the call and get the details from the police.
These are all petty things about which you should not be worried to this extent.
You can get the things set right out of your prudence, well you may visit the police station and collect the details at the time given to you.
You did not clarify all your doubts with the cop whereas you are asking clarification here on piece meals basis without knowing that the advocates here are not aware of the conversations that took place between you both.
As there is no challan, the cop is just expecting a bribe to give you your aadhaar back.
You can record your meeting with him and the the same can be forwarded to the vigilance department if he asks you for a bribe.
In my opinion, going to court without challan is not going to be of any use.
You should not worry at all as it is a very petty offence for which will be made to pay a very small fine, if there is any challan and it would not affect your future employment opportunities at all.
You should go for the meeting at 7:00 am to the court. Though, it's quite apparent, he will ask you for money as courts don't open at 7 a.m. in the morning.
You have an option of recording the same if you want to take action against him.
FYI, fine for public smoking is not more than 500 rupees so I have to keep that in mind. Also, there is no jail time or anything. Meet the cop in a confident manner.
Court do open so early in some cities during summer
You may inquire the same with a local lawyer