Reckless Driving: Dodge Challenger SRT Seized In India , 26 Year-Old Driver Arrested
In a recent crackdown, the Manipal police seized a Dodge Challenger SRT for rash and reckless driving and detained its 26-year-old driver. The car was reportedly being driven in a rash and dangerous manner on National Highway 169A (NH169A), in Shivalli village in Udupi, when the cops intercepted it. The action took place on August 11, 2025.
The Challenger SRT’s driver, later identified as Shohail Neelakath, is from Kerala’s Kannur district. He was driving from Udupi towards Hiriyadka, overspeeding and often swerving dangerously. These created panic among witnesses. The cops were soon involved, and they managed to stop the Challenger SRT near the MIT Junction in Manipal. Some reports also say that the cops were also suspecting that illegal items might be getting transported in the car while chasing it.
The way this SRT was being driven was potentially dangerous to two-wheelers, pedestrians, and other vehicles around. Witnesses confirm that it was weaving in and out of the traffic around, jumping signals, and overspeeding.
The loud exhaust of the car made the air more frightening and reportedly became a nuisance to the public. The car had tinted windows, which led to the cops suing the owner for a violation of traffic norms.
The above charge is unlikely to stay valid as the vehicle involved in this case is a Carnet import. Dodge doesn’t have a market presence in India. Even finding a private import Challenger here is an extremely rare occurrence. So, this car, has been shipped in via Carnet.
This Challenger SRT’s registration plate, which reads ‘12ABH 59440’, further confirms the same. The permit usually has a validity of one year from the date of issuance. It cannot be sued by Indian laws for having loud exhausts or modifications, as long as they are legal in the country of registration. Yes, it needs to be driven safely, abiding by all the lane and traffic rules. The cases of rash and reckless driving and overspeeding will stay valid.
This isn’t the first time that the Manipal police department confronts a Dodge Challenger. Previously, three youth from Kerala, settled in the Middle East, had brought in Challengers and a Charger SRT via Carnet. These vehicles were used extensively by their owners in India. They reportedly did road trips to Mumbai and Goa in these cars.
They were on their way to Mangaluru from Kerala, when they got confronted by the cops. The cars were seized by the Manipal police department following complaints from the locals about 'posh Dodge cars being driven recklessly’.
People were also upset with how loud their exhausts were. These were later released after verifying all the documents. A letter was sent to the Udupi RTO for the same. The RTO soon cross-checked and confirmed that these were all valid.
The respective owners had brought these cars via Carnet, and had every document clear and valid. The vehicles were shipped into the Cochin port, where all the necessary declarations were made, and paperwork was completed. It was thus completely legal to use these cars in India until January 2026. The owners of these cars, however, received a fine of Rs 1500 per vehicle for reckless driving.
You might now wonder why the Challengers, Chargers, and their SRT versions are so loud. Well, the reason is the naturally aspirated HEMI V8. A V6 petrol comes standard on the Challenger, but you can always choose the meatier 6.4-liter V8 HEMI. It sounds mad. Things only get juicier with the SRT. The SRT Hell Cat comes with a 6.2L supercharged HEMI V8, which sounds absolutely loud and insane!