Section 197: Taking vehicle without authority. - (1) Whoever takes and drives away any motor vehicle without having either the consent of the owner thereof or other lawful authority shall be punishable with imprisonment which may extend to three months, or with fine [of five thousand rupees], or with both:

Q: What does Section 197 of The Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 (MVA) deal with?

Section 197 MVA pertains to "Taking vehicle without authority. - (1) Whoever takes and drives away any motor vehicle without having either the consent of the owner thereof or other lawful authority shall be punishable with imprisonment which may extend to three months, or with fine [of five thousand rupees], or with both:". It is part of the The Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, a legislation enacted by the Parliament of India. Section 197 of The Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 (MVA) prescribes taking vehicle without authority. - (1) Whoever takes and drives away any motor vehicle without having either the consent of the owner thereof or other lawful authority shall be punishable with imprisonment which may extend to three months, or with fine [of five thousand rupees], or with both:. As verified on 19 May 2026.

Q: Is Section 197 MVA still in force?

Yes, Section 197 of the The Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 is currently in force across the Republic of India.

Q: What is धारा 197 MVA?

धारा 197 MVA is the Devanagari Hindi reference for Section 197 of the The Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. Section 197 of The Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 (MVA) prescribes taking vehicle without authority. - (1) Whoever takes and drives away any motor vehicle without having either the consent of the owner thereof or other lawful authority shall be punishable with imprisonment which may extend to three months, or with fine [of five thousand rupees], or with both:. As verified on 19 May 2026.

Q: What is Dhara 197 MVA?

Dhara 197 MVA is the Roman Hindi reference for Section 197 of the The Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. "Dhara" means "Section" in Hindi. Section 197 of The Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 (MVA) prescribes taking vehicle without authority. - (1) Whoever takes and drives away any motor vehicle without having either the consent of the owner thereof or other lawful authority shall be punishable with imprisonment which may extend to three months, or with fine [of five thousand rupees], or with both:. As verified on 19 May 2026.

Q: How to cite Section 197 of The Motor Vehicles Act, 1988?

Cite as: "Section 197, The Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 (MVA)" in legal briefs. For academic writing, use the BlueBook format: The Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, § 197 (India).

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Provided that no person shall be convicted under this section, if the Court is satisfied that such person acted in the reasonable belief that he had lawful authority or in the reasonable belief that the owner would in the circumstances of the case have given his consent if he had been asked therefor .

(2)

Whoever, unlawfully by force or threat of force or by any other form of intimidation, seizes or exercises control of a motor vehicle, shall be punishable with imprisonment which may extend to three months, or with fine [of five thousand rupees], or with both.

(3)

Whoever attempts to commit any of the acts referred to in sub-section (1) or sub-section (2) in relation to any motor vehicle, or abets the commission of any such act, shall also be deemed to have committed an offence under sub-section (1) or, as the case may be, sub-section (2).