Ahmedabad Police directs garages, service stations to maintain records post Delhi Red Fort blast

In a striking move that appears deeply influenced by the recent car-bomb incident near Delhi’s Red Fort, the Ahmedabad City Police Commissionerate has issued an order demanding stricter monitoring of workshops, garages and service stations across the city. The directive, which comes into effect from November 18 to 1

January 16, compels all garages to maintain detailed records of vehicles and their owners and install CCTV at their premises.

The order directing all garages, workshops and service stations to maintain detailed records of vehicles brought in for repair, servicing or modification, and to install CCTV cameras at entry and exit points.

The order, issued on November 17 by Police Commissioner G S Malik under Section 163 of the Indian Civil Security Code, 2023, will remain in force from November 18, 2025  to January 16,  2026 and applies across the entire jurisdiction of the Ahmedabad Police Commissionerate.

Rising crime linked to misuse of vehicles

According to the public notification, rapid industrial expansion has led to a significant influx of people from other states into Ahmedabad. With increasing population density, incidents of theft, robbery and snatching have shown a corresponding rise. The police note mentions that many such crimes involve the use of two-wheelers and four-wheelers often stolen by criminal and anti-social elements.

The order highlights that, after committing crimes, offenders frequently abandon or take these vehicles to local garages for repairs, modifications or disposal. However, due to fear of harassment or involvement, many garage owners fail to maintain identity records of customers or vehicle documents, delaying investigations and allowing offenders to evade detection.

Mandatory register and documentation

To address these gaps, city top cop Malik has ordered all garage, workshop and service station owners, operators and managers to maintain a compulsory register containing the following details for every vehicle that enters their premises:

* Vehicle registration number

* Make and model

* Name, address and mobile number of the vehicle owner

* Identity proof of the owner or person delivering the vehicle

* Garage/service station details

* Purpose of visit (repair, servicing, modification, storage)

* Name of the person who brought or collected the vehicle

The notification states that garage owners must also obtain and keep copies of the vehicle owner’s ID proof and the vehicle’s registration documents. These records must be produced whenever demanded by police officials during inspections.

CCTV now compulsory

All garages and service stations are required to install CCTV cameras at their entry and exit points, with recordings preserved for a minimum of 30 days. Police argue that such surveillance will help track movement of suspicious vehicles and provide crucial evidence during criminal investigations.

Enforcement and penalties

The order authorises all police officers of the rank of Head Constable and above to take action against violators if any garage or service station found ignoring the directives may face legal proceedings.