Pune: Warje Police Crush Modified Silencers Under Road Roller, Garage Owner Booked
Reported by Mubarak Ansari
Warje, 10th February 2026: Taking decisive action against the rising menace of noise pollution caused by modified motorcycle exhausts, the Warje Malwadi Police have busted a racket involving the installation of illegal “cracker” silencers. In a targeted operation conducted on Tuesday (Feb 10), the police not only penalized 15 motorcyclists but also booked a garage owner responsible for fitting the illegal modifications.
The operation was initiated following numerous complaints from residents in the Warje, Karvenagar, and Shivne areas regarding Royal Enfield Bullet motorcycles equipped with modified silencers. These exhausts were causing significant noise pollution and panic among citizens due to the loud, cracker-like sounds they produce.
Under the instructions of Senior Police Inspector Mahesh Bolkotgi, a special team led by PSI Sanjay Narale conducted patrolling in the jurisdiction. During the drive, the team intercepted 15 Bullet motorcycles violating noise norms. The modified silencers were seized, and the riders were subjected to counseling regarding traffic rules and noise pollution.
To send a strong message, the seized silencers were publicly destroyed by crushing them under a road roller in front of RMD College.
During the interrogation of the detained motorcyclists, it was revealed that they had installed the illegal silencers at “Royal Bike Services,” a garage located at Narhe. Acting on this intelligence, PSI Narale and his team raided the garage.
The garage owner, identified as Yogesh Damodar Sapkal (33), a resident of Opulence Building, Zeal College Chowk, Narhe, was caught red-handed while installing a modified silencer on a motorcycle.
A case has been registered against Sapkal at the Warje Malwadi Police Station (Crime Register No. 43/2026). He has been charged under:
Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS): Sections 223, 270, and 49.
Motor Vehicles Act: Section 190(2).
Maharashtra Police Act: Section 37(1)(3) read with 135.
The successful operation was conducted under the guidance of DCP (Zone 3) Sambhaji Kadam, and ACP (Kothrud) Sujata Tanvade. The execution team included Senior PI Mahesh Bolkotgi and PI (Crime) Prakash Dhande.
