Police Harassing Parents Over a Vehicle Registered at Your Address? Know Your Rights

One of my clients recently had a case which I am explaining below and if you are stuck in such similar situation, here is what to do.

Note: Due to attorney-client privilege, I cannot disclose complete case details or identify the actual parties involved. However, I am sharing the essential facts and legal approach so that if you find yourself in a similar situation, you can understand the available solutions and legal remedies.

TL;DR: Your parents are not legally bound to travel to a distant police station just because some officer asks. The demand for travel money is an offence. You can immediately file a written complaint against the police officers with their seniors, clarify the registration error with the RTO, and if needed, seek anticipatory bail to prevent a wrongful arrest. A domain‑specific advocate can stop the harassment quickly and ensure your parents' health isn't compromised.

Ananya Joshi, a young professional from Pune, found herself in a panic one afternoon in late August 2025. Her elderly parents, who lived in their own house in the Erandwane area, had rented out a portion of it. That day, two policemen from the distant city of Nashik showed up. They were inquiring about a Hero Splendor bike—registered at that address way back in 2005—allegedly involved in some investigation. The bike was registered by someone none of them knew. The cops got aggressive when the tenants couldn’t give answers. They demanded money for their “travel expenses” and insisted that her parents, both in their late seventies and managing chronic ailments, personally appear at the Nashik police station. Ananya first tried to handle it with a local lawyer the family knew. That lawyer suggested they simply comply and visit Nashik. Anxious and unwilling to risk her parents’ health, Ananya approached the Chamber of Advocate Sudhir Rao. The matter required more than general advice. Advocate Sudhir Rao and his office immediately recognized that the police demand itself was a criminal offence and that the parents had clear rights under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023. A strongly worded complaint was drafted and sent to the Superintendent of Police in Nashik, detailing the misconduct. Simultaneously, a representation was filed with the local RTO to correct the registration records. Within a week, the harassment stopped. The police were called off, and an inquiry confirmed the registration was a forgery—no travel to Nashik was ever needed. Advocate Sudhir Rao’s experience in such criminal‑procedural matters turned a frightening situation around without the parents ever leaving their home.

Key Facts of the Case

• An unknown person registered a two‑wheeler at the client’s Pune address in 2005, possibly through forgery at the RTO.
• Police from Nashik, Maharashtra, travelled to the address seeking information about the bike’s owner.
• The client’s parents—elderly and in poor health—were pressured to travel to Nashik police station despite not being accused.
• The officers demanded money for travel expenses, which is a criminal act.
• The parents had no connection with the bike or the unknown registrant.
• Advocate Sudhir Rao’s intervention stopped the harassment through targeted complaints and RTO coordination.

The Direct Legal Answer

No law requires an innocent person to travel hundreds of kilometres to a police station merely for an inquiry. The police can record a statement at your residence or through a local police station. And here’s the thing: demanding money for travel is a clear offence under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988—it’s a bribe, plain and simple. You can do three things right now. First, send a detailed written representation to the RTO that wrongly recorded the vehicle, requesting correction and stating the facts. Second, file a complaint against the erring officers with the Superintendent of Police of their district under Section 173(4) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023. Third, if an FIR is registered naming your parents as accused, move immediately for anticipatory bail under Section 482 BNSS. A domain‑specific advocate will know exactly how to draft these applications and ensure the police back off.

Advice in Such Cases

Consult with Lawyer: The very basic and important step to start is talk to Lawyer / advocate. You should not hesitate in paying his consultation fee i.e. might be in range of Rs. 10,000 to 50,000 depends case to case. He is helping you in this situation to come out. He is expert in the domain and can help you explain the procedure which you might have never explored. A good lawyer can get the issues resolved much faster than you think.

Don’t wait for the next police visit. Gather all documents that prove ownership and tenancy. Write down everything that happened—dates, times, officer names, what they said. And remember, matters involving police misconduct or wrongful registration follow strict procedural timelines. An advocate who handles such cases regularly knows the urgent interim remedies and the exact senior officer to approach, which a general practitioner might overlook.

Applicable Sections of Law

• Section 318 BNS – Cheating, if the unknown person used the address to deceive someone.
• Section 335 BNS – Forgery for the purpose of cheating, applicable if the registration documents were forged.
• Section 173(4) BNSS – Complaint to the Superintendent of Police when police refuse to act or commit misconduct.
• Section 482 BNSS – Anticipatory bail, if there’s a fear of arrest in a non‑bailable offence.
• Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 – Sections 7 and 11 cover public servants demanding gratification.

Punishment and Penalties

If the unknown person is found guilty of forgery under Section 335 BNS, the punishment is imprisonment up to seven years and a fine. Cheating under Section 318 BNS attracts up to three years’ imprisonment, a fine, or both. Both offences are cognizable—police can arrest without a warrant—and non‑bailable, though courts often grant bail considering the evidence. The police officers demanding money face separate proceedings under the Prevention of Corruption Act, which can lead to imprisonment of up to seven years and fine.

Jurisdiction — Where to File the Case

Any complaint about the vehicle registration fraud can be filed at the nearest police station; it will be transferred to the station having territorial jurisdiction—usually the area where the RTO office is located. For harassment, a complaint against the police officers lies before the Superintendent of Police of the district they belong to, and you can also file a private complaint before the Judicial Magistrate under Section 175(3) BNSS. If anticipatory bail is required, you can approach the Sessions Court or the High Court of the state where the FIR is registered. Getting the jurisdiction right prevents needless delays.

What if Police Refuse to File FIR?

You’re a victim of forgery here—so you can register an FIR against the unknown person. If the local police refuse, you have clear remedies. Approach the Superintendent of Police under Section 173(4) BNSS with a written complaint. If still no action, file a private complaint before the Magistrate under Section 175(3) BNSS. The Magistrate can direct the police to investigate. In extreme cases, the High Court’s writ jurisdiction under Article 226 can be invoked. As a practical roadmap:

• Send a complaint by registered post to the SP of the district where the RTO office is located.
• Keep a copy and postal receipt—it’s primary evidence of your complaint.
• If no FIR in 15 days, move the jurisdictional Magistrate.
• Don’t let the police’s inaction become your problem.

Rights of the Accused

Even if your parents are named as suspects (unlikely but worth knowing), the Constitution and BNSS give them solid protection. These aren’t technicalities. They are real safeguards:

• Right against self‑incrimination – Article 20(3) means they don’t have to answer questions that might implicate them.
• Right to legal representation – Article 22 lets them have a lawyer present during questioning.
• Right to be produced before a Magistrate within 24 hours of arrest.
• Right to a copy of the FIR and to know the grounds of arrest.
• No arrest can be made merely for investigation; reasonable grounds are required.

Bail Provisions

Forgery and cheating are non‑bailable. If an FIR is registered and arrest looks imminent, the immediate step is anticipatory bail under Section 482 BNSS. You can file it in the Sessions Court or the High Court. Courts consider factors like the accused’s age, health, and the absence of evidence linking them to the crime. In this case, the parents’ advanced age and medical condition would strongly weigh in favour of bail. Regular bail under Sections 480/483 BNSS also remains an option if they are arrested. A well‑prepared bail application at the right forum can keep them out of custody entirely.

Quashing of FIR / Case

If an FIR is somehow registered against the parents, the High Court can quash it under Section 528 BNSS. The key ground here would be that the FIR discloses no prima facie offence by them—they didn’t own the bike, didn’t register it, and have no link to any crime. Quashing is a powerful remedy when the proceedings are an abuse of process. It’s usually invoked after a copy of the FIR is obtained, but even before that, if the facts are clear, a quashing petition can be moved. This is where a lawyer with strong criminal‑writ practice makes a huge difference.

If You Are the Victim

• Don’t go to the distant police station.
• File a written complaint locally about the forgery and harassment.
• Submit a representation to the RTO detailing the wrongful registration.
• Record all interactions—phones, visitors, demands.
• Have a lawyer send a legal notice to the concerned police station.
• Never hand over money to a visiting officer; that can be twisted into bribery.

Documents You Must Keep Ready

• Aadhaar and PAN of the property owner.
• Sale deed or property tax receipt showing ownership and address.
• Rent agreement or tenancy proof (for the period of registration).
• Copy of the bike’s registration details obtained from the RTO.
• Identity proof of tenants who were present at the time.
• Medical records of ailing parents (to justify non‑travel and bail grounds).
• Written note of the police visit, badge numbers, date, and exact demands.
• Any communication from the police station or RTO.

What Evidence Is Required?

• Certified copy of the vehicle registration certificate from the RTO—this will show the date and the name of the registrant.
• RTO records indicating no application was ever signed by your parents.
• Tenant’s statement that no such person resided there.
• Police visit note or complaint receipt as proof of harassment.
• Medical certificates of parents to support their inability to travel.
• Copies of complaint letters sent to the SP and RTO.
• Call records or messages from the officers, if any.

How the Police Behave in Such Cases

In matters involving inter‑district inquiries over an old registration, the police often treat it as a routine verification. But when they demand travel money, it’s a red flag—they know the family isn’t an accused yet they exploit the fear. Many sub‑inspectors assume an unrepresented person will comply readily. They may create an impression that the visit is mandatory. In reality, such behaviour is exactly what the senior officers and the courts want to curb. A complaint to the SP almost always leads to a pull‑back, because a paper trail creates accountability.

Timeline of Legal Process

• Immediate: Send complaint to SP and RTO—within 1–2 days, you’ll have an acknowledgement.
• 1–3 weeks: The SP may direct a local inquiry; the RTO will verify records.
• If no response: File a private complaint before the Magistrate—hearing within 2–4 weeks.
• If an FIR is filed against unknown person: Investigation may take 60–90 days, then chargesheet or closure.
• Bail or quashing, if needed: Hearing in Sessions or High Court typically within 2–6 weeks.
• The entire harassment can be halted within a week if the right complaints are made.

How Long Will the Investigation Take?

Once an FIR about the forgery is lodged, the police have to complete the investigation and file a chargesheet within 60 days if the offence is punishable with less than 10 years—otherwise 90 days. In a case like this, forensic examination of RTO records and tracking the fraudulent registrant can take 3–6 months. But your parents aren’t under investigation. The priority is to stop the harassment now, not to wait for the investigation to conclude.

Understanding the Costs

The total cost of a matter like this varies significantly from one case to the next — it depends on the complexity of the dispute, the forum involved, the number of hearings, and the specific facts of your situation. There is no single fixed figure that applies to everyone.

A professional advocate can give you an accurate estimate only after reviewing all your facts and documents in a consultation.

Can the Matter Be Settled Out of Court?

This isn’t a dispute you settle—it’s about stopping wrongdoing. The forgery can be corrected administratively. If the police harassment is documented, the officers may be warned or face departmental proceedings. There’s no victim‑offender mediation here. However, if an FIR is filed and the case is against an unknown person, the police may close it if no evidence is found. For the police misconduct part, a written complaint to the SP often resolves the matter without any court intervention. But if the officers persist, you can move the Magistrate—that’s not a settlement; it’s enforcement of your rights.

Common Mistakes People Make

• Agreeing to travel to the distant police station out of fear, which sets a precedent.
• Paying the demanded money—this can be misconstrued as settling a bribe and may backfire legally.
• Not documenting the police visit or officer details immediately.
• Delaying the RTO correction; while you wait, the bike might be used in another crime.
• Consulting an advocate who doesn’t regularly handle criminal procedure and police matters. The nuances of when to file a complaint under BNSS versus a writ, or how to draft an anticipatory bail for elderly non‑accused, are often missed by general practitioners, and that can prolong the harassment.
• Posting about the entire episode on social media before the legal steps—it can weaken your position if details are misused.

FAQs People Normally Have

Can the police force my parents to come to the station in another city?

No. If they are merely witnesses, their statement can be recorded where they live. Only a formal summons under Section 94 BNSS can compel attendance, and even that can be challenged on health grounds. A demand for travel without any summons is harassment.

What if I don’t know who registered the bike?

You don’t need to know. Your complaint is that an unknown person forged your address. The police will investigate using RTO records. Your job is to provide your ownership documents and clarify that no one by that name ever lived there.

Will filing a complaint against the police make things worse?

When done through a lawyer and addressed to the right senior officer, it usually brings the matter under scrutiny and stops the local cops from misbehaving. Retaliation is rare when there’s a paper trail. And if it happens, that’s further grounds for a higher‑up complaint.

Is there any time limit to report the forged registration?

There’s no strict limitation for reporting a continuing wrong like a forged entry in government records. But the sooner you act, the easier it is to correct and the less likely you are to face repeated visits.

Do my parents need anticipatory bail if they aren’t accused?

If no FIR names them, they don’t need anticipatory bail. But if the police keep threatening arrest, a cautious lawyer might advise filing an anticipatory bail application as a preventive shield—especially given their health.

This article is general legal information, not legal advice. Consult a qualified advocate about your specific situation.

Advocate Sudhir Rao, Supreme Court of India

Facing a similar matter? Speak to a Delhi criminal defence lawyer — Advocate Sudhir Rao appears in bail, trial and appellate matters before the Delhi District Courts, the Delhi High Court and the Supreme Court of India.