223 impounded cars, 480 bikes to be auctioned in Dubai

The Dubai Police have issued last warning to the owners of 233 confiscated cars and 480 motorbikes that their vehicles would be sold in auction, if they did not report to the concerned departments within one month.
The vehicle owners, who haven't taken action to release the vehicles even three months after the confiscation period is over, are given one month time to solve the reason for impounding. The police have published a declaration of the auction on major English and Arabic dailies.
Major-General Mohammed Saif Al Zafeen, assistant commander-in-chief of the Dubai Police for operations, said the police had been in touch with the owners of the vehicles for the last three months, and they were asked to get in touch with the police to do the needful to get their vehicles released.
The police also called on owners of confiscated cars or motorbikes to call the police on phone number 050 8990666 or visit www.dubaipolice.gov.ae for vehicle information.
Maj-Gen Al Zafeen said the confiscated cars include those with unpaid fines of over Dh6,000, cars unregistered for more than three months and those involved in illegal racing. The auction of the cars will be carried out by a committee set up by the police. The committee's members will include representatives from the Dubai Police, the Dubai Municipality, Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority, Public Prosecution and other relevant bodies.
The committee is tasked with assessing and fixing the price of confiscated cars and ensuring that the cars are not impounded by any other body by coordinating with the relevant authorities in the emirate.
Maj-Gen Al Zafeen noted that the owners of the seized vehicles have to contact the police after the expiry of legal grace period to release the vehicles.
He said that according to the procedures, the Dubai Police will notify the vehicle owner in order to release it and will also inform the creditors to take the necessary action to reserve their rights within 30 days after publishing the list of the vehicles in the media.
"As part of our concept of transparency, the committee deals with a group of auction companies and then will evaluate the vehicles to get the best prices," said Maj-Gen Al Zafeen.
Procedure for auction
> Auction procedure starts three months after the end of confiscation period
> After three months, the police will issue a 30-day notice to the owner to take the necessary procedures for the car's release.
> The notice will be published in English and Arabic dailies. If the notice period passes and the owner does not take the necessary action, then the police will prepare a final list of the vehicles and will provide it to the auction committee.
> The committee will then prepare to sell off the cars in an auction.
> The committee can also sell the cars that have been seized by the Dubai Police due to traffic accidents or crimes - three months after the traffic case has been closed or after a ruling has been issued by the public prosecution

• Dubai

Amira Agarib

amira@khaleejtimes.com