Across the Northeast we see a growing normalcy in the growth of a parallel market selling stolen vehicles. Vehicles stolen from metros are rerouted, resold, and driven openly often at throwaway prices and without proper papers. What many might see as a harmless shortcut to affordably actually comes with a series of legal consequences.
Driving a stolen vehicle, if the driver knew or had reason to believe it was stolen falls under receiving stolen property (IPC Section 411), this can lead to imprisonment for 3 years, a fine or both. The law does not distinguish between thief and user— brokers, transporters and users are equally liable.
Selling stolen cars or assisting in disposal also violates receiving stolen property (IPC Section 411&414). The punishment remains up to 3 years, a fine, or both. When such an acitivity becomes repeated or habitual, it escalates to dealing in stolen goods (IPC section 413), which carries up to 10 years imprisonment, life imprisonment and a fine.
Using or forging registration certificates, number plates or insurance papers is also punishable under forgery and cheating (IPC Sections 465, 468 & 471) with penalties up to 7 years imprisonment and fines. Apart from the Indian Penal Code, the Motor Vehicles Act empowers authorities to seize vehicles, cancel registrations and suspend licences when documentation is fake or missing.
Stolen cars is not just about theft—it fuels smuggling and drug trafficking. In a state like Manipur where communities bear the cost of instability, this silent crime extracts an even heavier price.
ALSO READ: Accessing Justice: Enforcing POCSO Act (Mashun Samkaphang, POCSO ACT)
Northeast kuimareida khangachana da khuilakha gari likhuikahai kathao kala khayor haklak eina zatdaleiya. Reisangkahai ayar ngalei wui gari likhuilakha, yorzatdakhalei kala darkar kasa lairik maleila mikateina thaozatdakhaleihi Leikapdaleiya. Mikachungkhana khayon matheila sakazathi ain na saklak eina khuiya.
Likhuikahai gari kathaohi, kathaopana theitheilakha thaozat sakha receiving stolen property (IPC Section 411) wui athisurda zingkum 3 phatopshimli zangpamra kala lan einala mikara. Ain nava khalikasapa, khayorpa kala kathaopa ngateida mayangla akha eina khuihaowa.
Likhuikahai gari chili yorngachonkha receiving stolen property (IPC Section 411) wui athisurda hila zingkum 3 phatopshimli zangpamra kala lan einala mikara. Hikatha khayon khamang otsak thangkha mang maningla sashon zatsakhava, chiwui athisurda zingkum 10 maningkha kathi eina tangdala phatop shimli zangpam paiya kala lan einala mikara.
Gari wui registration certificate, number plate kala insurance wui lairik shemkharek wuila forgery and cheating (IPC Sections 465, 468 &471) wui athisurda zingkum 7 phatopshimli zangpamra kala hila lan einala mikara. India Penal code mang maningla Motor Vehicles Act li yangkhava nawui gariwui lairik darkar kasa maleisakhava, nali registration kasa mamayamara, nawui garila khuimipaiya kala license la masingpailuimara.
Gari khali kachihi khali-kasali mang khangachonmaningla, ngathumda ain na makhamaya ot kala ari-arai yaokazat la mataisang ngasaka. Manipur katha rotkhamarat kala rai kashok apamli hikatha otshot chotmeikharda phunga.
(This article is part of the series Understanding the Law, Accessing Justice (Ain phapkata eina mashun samkaphang). Since this series challenges the exclusivity of legal language, it will also include Tangkhul translations. As a Tangkhul writer, I believe if legal knowledge is meant for everyone, it must be available in the languages people think, feel, and navigate life in. Accessibility cannot be preached without being practiced.)