As many as 3,300 car drivers were booked by Chennai Police for not removing the tinted film on their vehicles, as per the Supreme Court’s directives. The apex court’s orders came into effect on May 21, 2012, wherein any personal vehicle with tinted film applied by anyone but the manufacturer was to be fined in a bid to curb crimes.
According to Sanjay Arora, Additional Commissioner of Police (Traffic), "Every violator booked had the tinted film removed from the vehicles windshields and windows." A total of 24 areas of Chennai were under the scrutiny of the authorities and each of the 12 assistant commissioners of police were assigned to two spots.
Reportedly, car drivers put up some resistance in the start as the police officers began levying the fine on them. Most of them feigned ignorance of the Supreme Court’s orders and asked that they should be allowed to leave, according to a police officer stationed at Egmore. He said, "But there have been several news reports and we put up signboards at junctions to raise awareness. We also posted messages on Facebook. There was no reason for them not to know the rule."
The police officers working near Periyar Statue on Anna Salai brought a copy of the court’s directives as well as newspaper clippings with them. This proved to be helpful when they encountered people who were ready to pay the fine but not willing to take off the film or let the authorities do so. The officers on duty had highlighted 'The officer of the traffic police shall challan such vehicles for violating rules 92 and 100 and also remove the black films.' on the court’s order.
Chennai Police even took the help of specialists while carrying out the drive in Chetpet. An officer said, "We told motorists that they had the option of paying to have the film removed on the spot or be fined 100 and face the risk of getting caught again." After the initial penalty of Rs. 100, those who are booked for the same offence again will be fined Rs. 300.
On the Facebook page of Chennai Traffic Police as well as on Twitter, people discussed if cars with films that adhered to the transparency standards under the Motor Vehicles Act were permitted. On this, the police stated, "The Supreme Court prohibits the use of sun control film irrespective of visibility or transparency of film." Under the apex court’s directives, 70 per cent transparency for windshields and 50 per cent for windows is acceptable if the film has been applied by the car manufacturer.
