2,900 fined for rash driving on Shab-e-Barat

As many as 2,900 people were fined in the national capital for rash driving and performing stunts on the occasion of Shab-e-Barat on the intervening night of Friday-Saturday, police said.

Several bikers performed wheelies on roads and also pelted stones when police tried to stop them from performing stunts. The police, however, said it was all peaceful.

The 2,900 tickets were issued to scooter and motorcycle riders who indulged in reckless driving, stunts, riding without a helmet or other traffic violations. In addition, 853 two-wheelers were also impounded, police said.

Special Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) Taj Hassan told IANS that no stunt biking was allowed.

People were allowed to take Mathura Road from central and other parts of Delhi to reach Hazrat Nizamuddin.

"Those who violated the traffic rules were challaned and their vehicles impounded," said Hassan.

According to Special Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Muktesh Chander, police checkpoints were put up all over Delhi from 10 p.m. Friday to 6 a.m. Saturday.

"As bikers ride in large groups, when intercepted at checkpoints, some of them do manage to slip through. Therefore, police officers armed with video cameras were deployed at all check points this time to record the registration numbers of such riders," Chander told IANS.

"We will now be able to send the challans to the homes of those who managed to escape," he added.

In central Delhi, at least 259 people were fined while 75 vehicles were impounded.

Delhi Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung had Thursday warned two-wheeler riders against indulging in irresponsible riding on Shab-e-Barat.

Jung had appealed to the parents to "control their wards" and also asked the youngsters to "desist from any irresponsible behaviour".