Removal of motor vehicles abandoned or left unattended on a public place
Section 127 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 deals with removal of motor vehicles abandoned or left unattended on a public place. Where any motor vehicle is abandoned, or left unattended, on a public place for ten hours or more or is parked in a place where parking is legally prohibited, its removal by a towing service or its immobilisations by any means including wheel clamping may be authorised by a police officer in uniform The Act came into force on 01 Jul 1989.
1[(1) Where any motor vehicle is abandoned, or left unattended, on a public place for ten hours or more or is parked in a place where parking is legally prohibited, its removal by a towing service or its immobilisations by any means including wheel clamping may be authorised by a police officer in uniform having jurisdiction.]
(2) Where an abandoned, unattended, wrecked, burnt or partially dismantled vehicle is creating a traffic hazard, because of its position in relation to the 2[public place], or its physical appearance is causing the impediment to the traffic, its immediate removal from the 1[public place] by a towing service may be authorised by a police officer having jurisdiction.
(3) Where a vehicle is authorised to be removed under sub-section (1) or sub-section (2) by a police officer, the owner of the vehicle shall be responsible for all towing costs, besides any other penalty.
Section 127, The Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 (Act 59 of 1988).
Made under this section, and citing it
1 instrument states that it was made under this provision — the power to make it comes from here, so a change to any of them changes what this section requires in practice. Newest first.
Questions about Section 127
What does Section 127 of the Motor Vehicles Act deal with?
Section 127 of the Motor Vehicles Act is headed "Removal of motor vehicles abandoned or left unattended on a public place". Where any motor vehicle is abandoned, or left unattended, on a public place for ten hours or more or is parked in a place where parking is legally prohibited, its removal by a towing service or its immobilisations by any means including wheel clamping may be authorised by a police officer in uniform
How do I find court cases under Section 127 of the Motor Vehicles Act?
In judgments and charge sheets this section is written several ways, and each form finds a different set of orders. These search the full text of every order eCourtsIndia holds, best matches first: MV Act 127, section 127 MV Act, section 127 of the Motor Vehicles Act. Each opens the full list of orders on eCourtsIndia, where it can be narrowed by court, year and outcome.
What should I read with Section 127 of the Motor Vehicles Act, and has it changed?
The rules and notifications made under it are where it actually bites, and there is one: most recently Delhi Maintenance and Management of Parking Places Rules, 2019 (2019).
When did Section 127 of the Motor Vehicles Act come into force?
Section 127 of the Motor Vehicles Act, cited as MV Act 127, came into force on 01 Jul 1989, having been enacted on 14 Oct 1988. It is in force as at the date shown on this page.
Other sections of this Act
- 2. Definitions1948 words
- 88. Validation of permits for use outside region in which granted1560 words
- 51. Special provisions regarding motor vehicle subject to hire-purchase agreement, etc1199 words
- 150. Duty of insurers to satisfy judgments and awards against persons insured in respect of third party risks1102 words
- 96. Power of State Government to make rules for the purposes of this Chapter995 words
- 72. Grant of stage carriage permits868 words
Source and method. Compiled from the enactments of Parliament and of the State legislatures as published on India Code, and republished together with commentary and other original matter under section 52(1)(q)(ii) of the Copyright Act, 1957. Structured, cross-referenced and maintained by eCourtsIndia. Text as in force on 15 Oct 2026. This page is not a substitute for legal advice.