Odisha State Transport Authority (STA) officials slapped a fine of Rs 25,000 each on two juveniles for driving two-wheelers in Rayagada town in southern Odisha on Tuesday.

While one of them was a Plus Two student, another was a Class 10 student. The Plus two student was driving a motorcycle and the class 10 student was driving a scooty, officials said.

Regional Transport Officer (RTO), Rayagada, Siba Shankar Choudhury told The Telegraph: “As per the official order, we launched a special drive against violation of traffic norms. The two minors were found driving without having licences and helmets. As per the Act, we have imposed a fine of Rs 25,000 on each of them. The vehicles were seized. Once they deposit the money, the vehicles will be released.”

As per the rule, the minimum age to get a driving license is 18 years. “The challans were issued under 199A (Section-2) of the Motor Vehicles Act under Offence by the Juveniles,” said the official.

Officials maintain that 199 (A) says, “Where an offence under this Act has been committed by a juvenile, the guardian of such juvenile or the owner of the motor vehicle shall be deemed to be guilty of the contravention and shall be liable to be proceeded against and punished accordingly."

Section 2 of 199 A says, “In addition to the penalty under sub-section (1), such guardian or owner shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years and with a fine of Rs 25,000."

Kashim Khan, a data operator in a transport firm, whose son was slapped with the fine, said: “We admit our fault. But slapping a fine of Rs 25,000 is not acceptable.”