Hyderabad police issue New Year's eve ultimatum: No fare refusals, no drunk driving

People facing inconvenience are urged to immediately report the vehicle number, time, location and a screenshot of the ride details to the Hyderabad Police WhatsApp number +91 94-9061-6555.

• Hyderabad Police warn cab, auto drivers against refusing rides or overcharging fares.
• Strict action under Motor Vehicles Act for violations on New Year's Eve
• Public urged to report incidents on WhatsApp with ride and vehicle details

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With the city poised for New Year’s Eve celebrations, the Hyderabad Police have issued a firm directive to cab and auto-rickshaw drivers, warning of strict legal action against those who refuse passengers or demand excess fares.

The warning was delivered directly by City Police Commissioner VC Sajjanar via social media. He stated that any refusal of a ride or any demand for payment above the booked fare on New Year’s Eve and into the early hours would be met with zero tolerance. According to the announcement posted on X, violators will face action under Section 178(3)(b) of the Motor Vehicles Act.

NEWSFLASH ⚠️

Dear Sirs and Madams, Indian law has not discovered Sections 123 and 567. So if you’re trying to school our personnel on these imaginary rules while wobbling behind the wheel at 2 AM… congratulations! Your destiny is clear: stand-up comedy, fiction writing, or… https://t.co/ZpNHRzDA5Gpic.twitter.com/HRr4kxRMB9 — V.C. Sajjanar, IPS (@SajjanarVC) December 31, 2025

The police have also established a dedicated channel for the public to report such incidents. Passengers facing inconvenience are urged to immediately report the vehicle number, time, location and a screenshot of the ride details to the Hyderabad Police WhatsApp number +91 94-9061-6555.

The Commissioner’s announcement forms part of a broader safety campaign being run by the city police. In a separate but similarly stern message on Wednesday, the force tackled the issue of drunk driving with characteristic directness. Using the hashtag #HyderabadPoliceBoleToh — Zero tolerance to drunk driving, the police dismissed attempts by inebriated drivers to cite non-existent laws.

"Indian law has not discovered Sections 123 and 567," the police stated on X. "So if you’re trying to school our personnel on these imaginary rules while wobbling behind the wheel at 2 AM… congratulations! Your destiny is clear: stand-up comedy, fiction writing, or viral family humiliation."

In another message on X, the Commissioner sent a stern warning in a lighter vein: “If you try to outsmart us after a few drinks, think twice! Our strategic drunk-driving checks are like a #Chakravyuh — once you get behind the wheel after drinking, there’s no escape. In this Chakravyuh, the exit doesn’t lead home… it leads straight to Chanchalguda.”

The public is advised to keep the designated WhatsApp number handy and to comply with all traffic regulations to ensure a safe and smooth transition into the New Year.