Senior Citizen's Terrifying Fall Sparks Coimbatore Police Action Against Illegal Bike Modifications
A routine evening walk turned into a frightening experience for 65-year-old Ambrose from Perumal Nagar near Puliyakulam in Coimbatore. Around 9:17 PM last Friday, as he was walking on a local road, a motorbike suddenly sped past him with an ear-splitting noise. The unexpected and deafening sound startled Ambrose, causing him to lose his balance and fall to the ground. While he sustained only minor injuries from the incident, this event has highlighted a much larger and more dangerous trend plaguing the city's streets.
From Personal Complaint to Police Investigation
Unlike many who might dismiss such occurrences, Ambrose decided to take action. He lodged a formal complaint with the Coimbatore City Police. Utilizing CCTV footage from the area, police officers successfully traced the motorcycle involved. The vehicle was seized, and the rider, identified as 25-year-old Mohammed Kaja Moideen from Kuniyamuthur, was summoned for interrogation.
During questioning, Moideen claimed the bike was registered in the name of his friend's wife but failed to produce the necessary registration certificate. Consequently, the police have booked him under multiple legal provisions. These include sections 281 and 125(a) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, as well as sections 182(A)(4), 184, 194(f)(b), and 52, read with section 177, of the Motor Vehicles Act. The seized motorcycle was produced before a court on Monday morning.
A Systemic Problem: The Rise of Altered Silencers
This incident is not isolated. It represents a growing menace in Coimbatore where motorbikes with illegally altered silencers are creating noise pollution and posing serious safety risks. For many youngsters, modifying exhaust systems is seen as a way to show off. However, they often disregard the consequences: severe noise pollution and the potential to cause accidents by startling other road users.
The police investigation has extended beyond the individual rider. Authorities have sent summons to a Kawasaki showroom near Chinniyampalayam, demanding an explanation for replacing an original silencer with a loud, illegal one. This move signals a broader crackdown on the entire supply chain enabling these modifications.
Police Crackdown and Official Warnings
Traffic police officials are sounding the alarm. A traffic police inspector emphasized that bikes modified for excessive noise are a direct threat to both motorists and pedestrians. The scale of the problem is significant. "In 2025 alone, more than 1,000 cases were registered for altered silencers," the inspector revealed. The standard procedure involves seizing such vehicles and releasing them only after the illegal silencer is replaced with a standard, compliant one. Owners also face fines of up to ₹5,000 for the offense.
S Ashok Kumar, the City Deputy Police Commissioner (Traffic), confirmed that the number of vehicles with illegal silencers is rising on Coimbatore's roads. "The noise from the exhaust could scare other riders, leading to accidents. We are taking strict action against the people using loud silencers and those who help fit them," he stated. In a recent targeted drive, police seized more than 20 vehicles fitted with altered exhausts.
Comprehensive Enforcement Strategy
The police strategy is becoming increasingly comprehensive. Commissioner Kumar outlined the steps being taken. Modified silencers are not returned to owners, who are instead instructed to reinstall original factory parts. Furthermore, police have begun collecting details of automobile shops and mechanic workshops that install these loud silencers. "Such shop owners will also be named in the first information report as an abettor," Kumar warned. Police personnel have been directed to conduct regular enforcement drives to identify and seize vehicles producing excessive noise.
Mechanics and Legal Experts Weigh In
Sheriff, a two-wheeler mechanic in the city, provided insight into the trend. He noted that youngsters seeking to show off their vehicles are the primary drivers behind exhaust modifications. However, he cautioned that these alterations are not without cost. "The modified silencers could damage the engine and reduce overall performance in the long run," Sheriff explained. He identified sports bikes like the Yamaha R15, Duke, and Royal Enfield as the models most commonly subjected to these illegal changes.
The legal stance is unequivocal. A senior regional transport official clarified that under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, any alteration to a vehicle's factory model is illegal. "Exhaust pipes producing more than 80dB are illegal. Changes to the exhaust pipe cannot be allowed," the official stated, reinforcing the strict regulatory framework designed to maintain road safety and curb noise pollution.
The case stemming from Ambrose's fall has thus acted as a catalyst, bringing renewed focus and rigorous enforcement against the dangerous and illegal practice of fitting altered silencers on two-wheelers in Coimbatore.
