Lost your vehicle? Check status online

Bangalore: It's been a while since your vehicle was stolen and you don't know whether it has been traced by the police. Now, you can check the status online, at a website to be launched soon by the Bangalore police.
At present, the basic police website provides information on many subjects. But on the new site, citizens will be able to file reports or download forms for arms licences and passport applications, among others.
Users will also be able to post complaints . Anybody who wants to report thefts, harassment, traffic indiscipline or erring cops can do so online, directly to the respective police station (zone) or the commissioner's office.
For information on stolen vehicles , citizens can enter their engine number and get updated information. At present, a press note is issued to inform people about stolen vehicles. Statistics on stolen vehicles, thefts and harassment cases too will be put up on the new website.
Applications seeking permission for public gatherings, use of loudspeakers , rallies and road shows need to be given to the respective police station in writing. These will be available online.
Boon for hotels
The new website will be a boon, especially for hotels. Under the Registration of Foreigners Act, 1939, hotels and service apartments have to inform a prescribed authority - usually the police commissioner's office - about foreigners staying on their premises. When foreign guests check into a hotel, their contact information , passport details and visa credentials are collected. This list is then submitted to the commissioner's office on a daily basis.
"At the end of each day, the staff compile a list of foreign guests and one person goes to the police station to hand over the information," said a spokesperson of Le Meridien hotel.
A spokesperson of Taj West End said: "The process of taking print-outs and submitting them to the police station has become a part of our daily routine and is time-consuming ."
"We are aware of the lengthy process. Each day, we get hundreds of sheets. Our officials have to upload the data into our system for records, which is another hassle,'' police commissioner Shankar Bidari said. "The new website will allow direct upload of the files from hotels," Bidari added. Another advantage is police departments of different states can be connected in no time. After a background check, information can be sent by e-mail or as a link.
(With inputs from Vinay Madhav)