Kerala Traffic Fine Timeline: From Challan to Court

So, I got a challan on **29/08/2024** for two reasons: * My pillion wasn’t wearing a helmet * No valid pollution certificate The cop was just chilling in a car, took a pic as I rode by. Thought I’d get an SMS or see it on the website, but **nothing showed up for a whole week**. # Timeline of Events: # 📅 29/08/2024 – Challan Issued * Cop took a photo, but no notification came in. * Kept checking the website for a week, but nothing showed up. Thought I got lucky. # 📅 29/11/2024 – Virtual Court Notification (3 months later) * Boom. **Found out about the challan ONLY after it got moved to virtual court (VCourt).** * They hiked the fine from **₹2500 → ₹3000** since VCourt charges the **maximum fine per offence**. 📩 **Message I received:** **Traffic violations by your Vehicle No.:** KLXXXXX found actionable vide challan No. KL6315XXXXXXXX. Click [https://vcourts.gov.in](https://vcourts.gov.in) and select department KERALA TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT to see details and may pay fine of Rs.3000.00. **- VCKer** # 📅 28/01/2025 – Case Moved to Court (2 months after VCourt notice) * Didn’t pay the fine in VCourt, so the challan was **moved to an actual court case**. 📩 **Message I received:** **Your Case is Transferred to** Establishment: ACJM Spl.Court For Cases Rela Court: 1-Smt. Naina. K.V-Addl. Chief for Next Hearing Date: **2025-01-28** Challan No: KLXXXX40XXXXXX Vehicle No: KLXXXXX. **- VCKer** # ⚠️ Final Warning – Last Chance to Pay Before Court * A lawyer friend told me that even after this message, the **case won’t actually be called in court until all paperwork is done & a case number is issued**. That takes time. * But, **you can still pay the fine before it reaches that stage!** Just go to the office of the issuing authority (Traffic Enforcement, MVD, or Police Dept.) and clear it. # ⏳ You Basically Get 5 Months to Pay Before a Summons is Issued From the date the challan is issued (**29/08/2024**) to when the case is moved to court (**29/01/2025**), you have about **5 months to settle the fine** before an actual summons is issued. **Use this time wisely and avoid VCourt if the fine is increased!** 💡 **Pro Tips:** * Try to go in the **forenoon** because the office I went to **only accepted challan payments till 1:00 PM**. * **DO NOT pay through VCourt if the fine is hiked to the max!** I only had to pay **₹2500 at the Traffic Office instead of ₹3000 in VCourt**. * The fine payment process is simple, and they accept **credit cards** too. I know you get **5 months before a summons is issued**, but does anyone know the exact timeline for when the summons is officially processed and sent out? Would be helpful for others in the same situation.